Foreign direct investments have started with growth this year as well. According to data from the Bank of Albania, for the first quarter they were 354 million euros, with a 15% increase compared to the same period last year.

From the data over the years, the flow of money from businesses abroad has undergone continuous growth, reaching around 1.5 billion euros last year. Compared to a year ago, foreign investments have increased by about 120 million euros, while compared to 2019, the increase is about 500 million euros.

Foreigners are buying properties in Albania, mainly in the coastal area, and this makes the real estate sector the most attractive at the moment, where nearly 1 in 5 lek circulates there. Further, in second place is the extractive industry, followed by financial and insurance activities.

The data show that the Netherlands is leading foreign direct investments in Albania for the fifth year in a row. Investments from this country make up 16% of the total, followed by Canada with 13% and Italy with 11%.

The dominance of the Netherlands in the ranking of foreign investors is related to the fact that this country brings companies registered offshore, with more favorable taxes and shareholders that remain confidential.

With 1.5 billion euros of annual investments, we rank second in the region, after Serbia, which absorbs 4.6 billion euros of investments every year.