Exploring the Role of the Business Support Infrastructure in Albania-The Need for a Rethink?

The role of entrepreneurship and small businesses in economic development has received particular attention in the postcommunist countries. Transition studies have recently emphasised the role that institutions play in orienting the entrepreneurial spirit toward capital formation, investment, export expansion, and generation of new jobs, and fair competition which will lead to sustainable economic growth. The author discusses the business-support infrastructure in Albania and the operational issues it faces. Interview data have been collected from various actors involved in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the country. The combination of the interview content with background information on each of the organisations has highlighted various issues such as the need for greater exposure of enterprises to business opportunities through the promotion of role-model businesses, the need to respond to the specific needs of enterprises in terms of skills and knowledge, and the need for a wider access through a better sectoral and regional coverage.