The U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Tirana, Nancy VanHorn, participated on Monday in the American Chamber of Commerce’s presentation on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). During her remarks, VanHorn stated that Albania is open for business, but in a way that protects its national interests and meets international standards.
She added that the United States will continue to support Albania throughout this process. According to VanHorn, investors need confidence that the rules are clear, the playing field is level, and strategic sectors are protected from actors who do not operate under the same standards.
“The American Chamber has a real talent for turning shared priorities into shared action, and today’s event is a perfect example of that. Minister Ibrahimaj, it is a pleasure to see you here.
Your ministry’s leadership on the investment screening mechanism has been essential, and the United States is proud to stand alongside you.
I will keep my remarks brief because the real substance lies in the presentations and discussions that will follow. However, I would like to share a few thoughts from the embassy’s perspective.
This is extremely important. Albania’s Foreign Direct Investment screening framework is not merely a bureaucratic exercise—it is a strategic statement. It demonstrates that Albania is open for business, but in a manner that safeguards Albania’s national interests and complies with international standards.
Investors are paying attention—including American investors. U.S. companies are already here, operating in energy, construction, and technology, and many others are considering entering the market. But investors need confidence that the rules are clear, that the playing field is level, and that strategic sectors are protected from actors who do not play by the same rules as we do.
When President Trump announced America’s investment policy last year, he emphasized a simple principle: welcome investments that strengthen economic growth while ensuring that critical infrastructure and strategic sectors remain secure. Albania’s approach to investment screening is built on the same principle, and that alignment matters.
Of course, passing a law is the beginning, not the end. Implementation is where these efforts succeed or fail, and the United States will continue to support Albania throughout this process. We will keep working with Minister Ibrahimaj, as well as other ministries and institutions, to bring this framework to life.
To the business community in this room: screening mechanisms are designed to protect you. When rules are predictable and implementation is consistent, everyone benefits—and that is the environment that attracts the kind of long-term, high-quality investment that Albania deserves.
Today is about bringing everyone to the same table—to understand what this framework means, how it works, and what comes next. Albania has taken an important step forward, and we welcome the work that lies ahead,” she emphasized.
