Low costs, modernity first unthinkable, geographical proximity but also of characters. Between our country and the land of the eagles, relationships are increasingly tightest. So much so that for some it is the “New Lombardy”.
Lombardy? No, Albania. It seems like a provocation, however it is the photograph of a slow and progressive migration that starts from the well-being as Brianza as from the mysterious textile district of Prato, by encouraging hundreds of Italian entrepreneurs to move production, know-how and in some cases entire companies beyond the Adriatic. To push the exodus is a combination of factors that make the former communist country an oasis for business: subsidized taxation, almost halved labor costs, simplified bureaucracy and a language – our Italian – spoken fluently by most of the population. To make a portrait of what is happening precisely are the official data, which are obtained by analyzing those of both governments, and which show how in 2024 Italy has been confirmed the first commercial partner of the Shqipëri, land of the eagles.
27.8 percent of the total of the Albanian Easter Market with the rest of the world – which is equivalent to 3.6 billion euros out of a total of 12.9 billion – has in fact proved to be destined for our country. And today a fifth of imports in Albania (21.2 percent) come from Italy. They are mainly about machinery, equipment and spare parts (23.3 percent), but also textile products and footwear (18.9 percent). And, of course, foods (16.9 percent). Even Italy – to highlight a fair and balanced relationship – mainly matters textile products and footwear (48.3 percent of the total), construction materials and metals (13 percent), but also machinery, equipment and spare parts (11.1 percent). An interesting focus is then the one that unfolds by analyzing the Albanian presence in Italy – according to the latest available data, Albanian citizens in Italy are almost 500 thousand, mainly occupied in the industrial and services sector – and the Italian one in Albania. In fact, our compatriots choose to cross the Adriatic to found companies. And there are 3,026 Italian companies present in the Albanian territory (source: Business Register 2023). Companies representing 43.6 percent of foreign activities active in Albania and which make the Bel Paese the first by number of companies. On this point it is interesting to note that 1,951 activities are those with the entirely Italian capital, and over 700 companies (25 percent) carry out mainly manufacturing and commercial tasks, while the other companies are service activities. The ability to attract Albania’s capital is then on a strong rise. An example? Only in 2023 they opened 386 companies here (9.36 percent of the total of the neonate).
It then becomes legitimate to ask if Albania is a long -term business opportunity. On this point, the president of the Italian Chamber of Commerce has very clear ideas, founded in 1996 and recognized by the government only 15 years later. This is Maria Cristina Busi Ferruzzi, also president of Confindustria Catania and CEO Coca-Cola Bottling Albania, who earned her the name of “Lady Coca-Cola”. “Through a new entrepreneurial narrative, this country is rewriting the present, projecting itself towards the future with great momentum”, loves to repeat Ferruzzi, who is also among the founders of Aiioa, an Italian entrepreneurs association operating in Albania, and of Confindustria Albania herself. Among the strategic objectives often highlighted are the elements that can build a commercial, financial and social network between the two countries, through the promotion of missions, bilateral meetings and training.
Certainly the Albanian market – less bureaucratized and with a lower tax burden – to many entrepreneurs from our house recalls Italy of the eighties: A widespread entrepreneurial momentum, motivated young people, less stringent union constraints, strong trust in the small business. Is the “risk” that Albania proves to be a second Romania of the golden times (when there was the race for relocation)? It is useless to deny this eventuality. A “radiography” of the country reveals how here the minimum salary is just over 350 euros (recently updated) and the average one arrives at 850 euros, which corresponds to a high purchase potential (just know that for a dinner in the restaurant the account is around seven euros per head).
Then, as mentioned, there is a very competitive taxation on natural persons (from 13 to 23 percent) and even more on companies (which up to 135 thousand euros of turnover are exempt, and above pay 5 percent to 15 percent). All elements that make Albania palatable also for Italian professionals who more and more often choose to come to work here for limited periods, perhaps for a week a month, and bring their skills – of dentists, surgeons, engineers or architects – enjoying tax benefits.
There is no shortage of companies that choose to relocate to create artifacts – especially in leather – which will then become Made in Italy once they get off the ferry (the shipping costs are in fact negligible if compared to those of China or other non -EU countries). In this case, more than expansion, it is perhaps legitimate to speak of economic survival.
But the general picture also attracts different excellence. That perhaps in Italy (until today) have not found luck. Among these is Silvia Minotti, an expert in the financial sector, who started in Albania a company dedicated to the recycling of high quality waste with its green recycling founded in 2013. Minotti met Albania when he worked as an official of the World Bank in Washington and, after a first visit in the year 2000, he decided to embark to cross the Adriatic – was in fact born in Cervia – Field of the collection and recovery of waste in Albania. “Because” explains his choice Minotti, “is culturally and geographically close to Italy. And above all because Albania has chosen a development route consonant to the principles and values of our old and beautiful Europe “.
Pllumba Marinaj is instead bridge between our country and that of the eaglesAlbanian by birth that after a long period in Italy has returned to Tirana to found a company that deals with intermediation and business consultancy, facilitating commercial relations between the two countries. “After reaching a ferry in Puglia” he says “I looked for my way in Italy and I found it here where my origins are”.
Walking through the streets of the capital Tirana And entering the Blloku district, among its fashionable boutiques, elegant restaurants and a tireless nightlife, the Milanese liveliness of the Navigli or Brera is not regretted. And it is not a temporary phenomenon: now Tirana is much more than the city of low -cost labor. It has become a hub for creative business, where young Italians also start looking for opportunities. After all, if once Milan looked at London, today he is Tirana watching Milan. And to imitate it. But with less taxes and (perhaps) the more you want to do.
