Photo Credit: Paul Cohn

The National Licensing Center Opens its Doors

TIRANA, June 9, 2009   No more information vacuum, no more wandering from one office to another, no more stacks of documents to fill out, and long hours spent trying to get a license, authorization or permit for your business activity!

Based on the February 2009 law, which reforms business licensing in Albania, the National Licensing Center (NLC), a central public institution under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy, has begun its activity.

At the opening ceremony of the NLC headquarters in Tirana today the Prime Minister Berisha and the USAID Mission Director, Roberta Mahoney, unveiled a dedication plaque that recognizes the assistance of the American people through the Millennium Challenge Albania Threshold Program II, in establishing the NLC. Using contemporary IT solutions, the center will function based on an IT system which automates the process of licensing and enables step-by-step tracking of the application progress.

Prime Minister Berisha noted the continued commitment of the Albanian government in making it easier for businesses to operate in Albania.

With its one-stop-shop services and shortened, transparent and fast procedures, the National Licensing Center reduces the administrative barriers to free initiative, cuts down the costs related to the licensing process for businesses, and minimizes the level of informality, thus improving noticeably the business climate in Albania.

The second stage of the MCC Albania Threshold Program is a two-year, $15.7 million agreement between Albania and the United States, funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and administered by USAID, which aims to strengthen the rule of law, reduce corruption, and increase public oversight, thereby improving the business environment in Albania through IT solutions and technical assistance.