Intellinews Albania Country Report - December 2011

"The IntelliNews Albania Country Report is a monthly report, covering the major macroeconomic indicators and trends in Albania, as well as important political developments. Prepared by local analysts, it provides the most accurate data, updated regularly according to the data changes noted by the whole range of statistics sources. It will save the time you would need to track the figures and sources independently and will provide you with thorough analysis.

Rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) confirmed Albania's long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings at B+ and the country's short-term foreign and local currency rating at B saying all ratings carry stable outlook as a reflection of the country's ability to operate sound fiscal and economic policies, anchored by efforts toward EU integration.

Albania's economy expanded by 0.5% y/y in non-adjusted terms in the April to June 2011, significantly slowing its growth from 3.8% in the previous quarter, the state statistical institute INSTAT said.

Albania's economy was assessed as the 57th freest in the workd in a ranking by US Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal. The country managed to imvprove its perfomance from last year when it ranked 70th.