Remarks by U.S. Ambassador John L. Withers II National Registration Center Opening (September 10, 2007)

Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Ministers, Ambassadors, Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is a beautiful day. And I believe that the bright sunshine and the lovely weather are symbolic of the lovely day that we are having in opening this national center for business registration.  And I want to thank you Mr. Prime Minister and Messrs. Ministers for all that you have done to make this day come about.

Albania’s $14 million Millennium Challenge Account Threshold Program, administered by our USAID mission and is a partnership between the United States and Albania that began one year ago. The shared goal is to reduce corruption by improving Albania’s public administration in areas that citizens – particularly businesses – can actually see and feel.

And only one year into that partnership, we are harvesting the first set of tangible benefits. This state-of-the-art Center now makes it possible for businesses to register in a speedy process that no longer relies on court decisions and can be accomplished in one day, in a single place.

But this Center also marks a new age in both private and public sector development. It opens the door to a more business-friendly environment in Albania. And it will set a standard for a broader public sector modernization that stands on the pillars of simplicity, transparency, information technology, and customer service.

As you mentioned Mr. Prime Minister, under the framework of the MCA partnership, Albania will soon launch an integrated e-governance system that links the commercial registry in this building with electronic procurement and electronic tax filing systems.

And I share your hope Mr. Prime Minister that these systems become operational as soon as possible. These measures are good for business. Aspiring entrepreneurs and established businesses should take advantage of the new services that this Center provides and legally register their companies.

These reforms are good for Albania. Their impact will be felt in the near term in the form of institutions whose performance is better, whose performance is more efficient and less susceptible to corruption, and in the longer term Albania’s business environment prompts more investment and creates more jobs.

I assure you that the United States Government is committed to fully supporting these and future efforts to further Albania’s development and integration.

In conclusion, I commend the Albanian Government, under your leadership Mr. PM for the good will and collaboration that produced the new business registration system and created this Center. Over the next year, we have a chance to deepen our partnership under this program and witness the benefits to all Albanians.

Thank you.