On June 4, 2009, Fushë-Krujë Municipality became the first Albanian local government to obtain a commercial loan. The loan, in the amount of 100 million Lek (approximately US$1 million), will be used to complete the Northern Ring Road around the city, identified by the community as an essential investment project necessary to promote economic growth in the city and to improve safety (an estimated 500 heavy trucks circulate through the city per hour). The new road will divert both inter-city traffic and, more importantly, large, heavy goods vehicles around the city center.

USAID's Local Governance Program in Albania (LGPA) is using a participatory process based on involvement of the local business community and civil society groups, working jointly with municipal officials and staff, to foster local economic growth and improve the quality of local governance.

The Fushë-Krujë Local Economic Growth Committee (LEGC), established with LGPA assistance, consists of twenty members, including staff of the municipality and representatives of the business community and civil society. In February 2008, the Committee evaluated local development strengths and weaknesses, identified opportunities for economic growth, and defined policies to be implemented in order to stimulate local economic growth, and encourage a "business friendly" environment.

Every year EXPO-REAL fair in Munich brings together businesses, potential investors, and central and local governments from around the world.  In 2007, EXPO-REAL attracted 1,823 exhibitions from 43 countries and 23,800 visitors from 77 countries.  With the support of USAID's Local Governance Program in Albania (LGPA), the Municipality of Korce had the opportunity to do a dignifying presentation in October 6-8, 2008's fair which increased the chances for funding.

Before November 2008, Gramsh Municipality made a profit of 2,285,000 Lek or 5.2% worth of annual revenues from renting its assets. Moreover, the Municipality presented the municipal assets to domestic and foreign potential investors during meetings, discussions or field visits at site, in order to visit these assets close up. Several companies showed real interest in using Gramsh Municipal assets. But prior to entering into any agreement the Municipality was required by law to first register the properties... 

The period from January to March 2009 was a difficult one for Pogradec Municipality's procurement unit. Four tenders issued by the Municipality failed to be completed.  The major reason was that members of the procurement unit and the offer evaluation committee faced serious obstacles in uploading the tender documentation into the requisite electronic platform within the prescribed timeframes, and in downloading the offerors' subsequent documentation.

With the support of USAID's Local Governance Program in Albania (LGPA), Pogradec Municipality's e-procurement processes have improved.  In the beginning of March 2009, in response to the municipalities' requests, LGPA organized a series of trainings on e-procurement procedures in four cities:  Lezhe, Pogradec, Korce and Kukes. The trainings were delivered in cooperation with training specialists from the American Chamber of Commerce/Tirana  (AmCham).

"Now that I've learned about the new business registration procedures at NRC, my job has become much easier. I now understand better my relation with the National Registration Center and I've been able to use its system to improve the accuracy of our local tax registry and to increase our tax collection rate," says Mr. Eduart Koca, tax inspector with the Lezhë Municipality tax department.

In an effort to encourage municipalities to share best practices and learn from Albanian successes, in December 2008, LGPA launched an in-country study tour program. LGPA target municipalities were invited to submit incountry study tour requests on issues related to the LGPA program such as tax collection and audit, asset management, urban planning, municipal borrowing, etc. In this framework, the Kukes Municipality expressed its interest to visit the small Municipality of Vore near Tirana to get experience regarding the way and methodology followed by this municipality in the collection of local revenues.

It has been a while since the city of Pogradec last enjoyed the liveliness and energy flowing from the presence of tourists during the winter season. For most domestic and foreign tourists, this city is more attractive during the summer season when they can enjoy the lake and fresh air. Although there are many businesses that offer special and characteristic winter-time services in this city, the number of visitors and tourists that have access to information related to these services is small.

The labor market in Korcë City is very informal. There are no structured methods of announcing vacancies and in the majority of cases vacancy information never reaches the target group. Businesses have not identified appropriate information channels, and applicants have no way of finding vacancies except for word of mouth. Often, it is a matter of who you know rather than the quality of one’s qualifications. As a result the demand and supply do not meet each other properly.

For years, the City of Gramsh has struggled to keep the city clean, but a combination of problems has impeded the City's efforts - until now.  The Municipality decided that the myriad problems, including a lack of solid waste dumpsters and trash cans, poor quality of cleaning service due to lack of funds, and poor discipline on the part of citizens in disposing of their waste demanded a creative and comprehensive overhaul of the City's approach to keeping the City clean.

USAID’s Local Governance Program in Albania (LGPA) supported a Study Tour program in Bulgaria with the participation of key officials from the ten target municipalities. The participants were mainly deputy mayors as well as representatives from the tax and finance departments and specialists for the local economic development of these cities. The participants formed a homogenous group in terms of education, background and professional interests..

On March 31, 2010, Korce Municipality became the second Albanian municipality to sign a commercial loan agreement.  The 10 year, 100 million Lek loan from ProCredit Bank will be used to finance three infrastructure projects for the Center City including improving a central boulevard, reconstructing a central square, and enhancing road signage and pavements. Albanian local government units became eligible to borrow when...