Planning and Local Governance Project in Albania Completion Report January 2012–September 2020

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Planning and Local Governance Project in Albania Completion Report January 2012–September 2020 PLANNING AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT IN ALBANIA COMPLETION REPORT JANUARY 2012–SEPTEMBER 2020 August 28, 2020 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Tetra Tech ARD. PREPARED FOR THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, USAID CONTRACT NUMBER AID-182-C-12-00001, ALBANIA PLANNING AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT (PLGP) TETRA TECH ARD CONTACT: SARAH LEDDY SENIOR TECHNICAL ADVISOR/MANAGER [email protected] TETRA TECH ARD HOME OFFICE ADDRESS: TETRA TECH ARD 159 BANK STREET, SUITE 300, BURLINGTON, VT 05401 TEL: 802 495-0282, FAX 802 658-4247 WWW.TETRATECH.COM/INTDEV COVER PAGE PHOTO: Pogradec Girls Scouts (top left); municipal staff at the Fier One Stop Shop (top center); implementation of the Municipality of Elbasan irrigation and drainage action plan to improve service delivery to citizens (top right); Dibra woman harvesting MAP flowers (bottom left); “Doing Business” guides prepared for five partner municipalities with PLGP support (bottom center); and Dibra food producer at the traditional food promotional event organized by PLGP (bottom right). Erald Lamja for USAID. PLANNING AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT IN ALBANIA COMPLETION REPORT JANUARY 2012–SEPTEMBER 2020 AUGUST 2020 DISCLAIMER This report is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of Tetra Tech and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. CONTENTS ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY v 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 PURPOSE OF THE COMPLETION REPORT 1 1.2 STRUCTURE OF THE COMPLETION REPORT 3 2.0 CONTEXT 4 2.1 THE DECENTRALIZATION AGENDA IN 2012 4 2.2 SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS DESPITE HURDLES: LOCAL GOVERNANCE IN 2020 5 3.0 ACHIEVEMENTS BY COMPONENT 8 3.1 HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS 8 3.1.1 COMPONENT 1 (HISTORIC): SUPPORT THE GOA’S WORK TO IMPLEMENT EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT DECENTRALIZATION POLICIES AND LEGISLATION 8 3.1.2 COMPONENT 1: SUPPORT GREATER PREDICTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND REVENUE POTENTIAL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCES 10 3.1.3 COMPONENT 2: IMPROVE MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR DELIVERY OF KEY LOCAL SERVICES 12 3.1.4 COMPONENT 3 (HISTORIC): IMPROVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT OF PUBLICLY OWNED UTILITIES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH EUROPEAN UNION STANDARDS 20 3.1.5 COMPONENTS 3A AND B: STRENGTHEN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TO PREVENT/COUNTER VIOLENT EXTREMISM (AND WOMEN, PEACE, AND SECURITY) 23 3.1.6 COMPONENT 4 (HISTORIC): STRENGTHEN THE CAPABILITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ALBANIA AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO PLAN AND MANAGE URBAN AND REGIONAL GROWTH 41 3.1.7 COMPONENT 4: PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION 44 4.0 DISCUSSION OF PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AND WHERE OBJECTIVES WERE NOT ACHIEVED 47 5.0 LESSONS LEARNED 50 6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS AND NEXT STEPS IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE 62 6.1 SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT FOR DECENTRALIZATION 62 6.2 SUSTAINABILITY MEASURES AND FUTURE ACTIVITIES WITH STAKEHOLDERS 67 7.0 ANNEXES 72 7.1 INDEX OF ALL REPORTS AND INFORMATION PRODUCTS PRODUCED UNDER THIS CONTRACT 72 7.2 SUCCESS STORIES 91 7.3 PERFORMANCE INDICATOR REPORT/PMP, TABLE BY YEAR. 92 PLANNING AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT IN ALBANIA: COMPLETION REPORT (2012–2020) i ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ALL Albanian Lek ASLG Agency for Support of Local Self-Government BAWIS Billing and Accounting Water Information System BLAST Boys Leadership and Advocacy BtF Bashkia te Forta CAP Citizens Advisory Panel CBS Community-Based Scorecard CC Consultative Council CEMR Council of European Municipalities and Regions COD Community and Organizational Development CSO Civil Society Organization CVE Countering Violent Extremism DCM Decision of Council of Ministers DO Development Objective DP Democratic Party EDAC Economic Development Advisory Council ESD Empowerment through Self-Defense Program EU European Union FAIS Finance Administration Information System FILD Financial Instrument for Land Development G2G Government-to-Government GDP Gross Domestic Product GEO Gender Equality Officer GIS Geographic Information System GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH GLOW Girls Leading Our World Club GLTP General Local Territorial Plan GoA Government of Albania GSVCA Gender-Sensitive Value Chain Analysis ICT Information and Communications Technology KPI Key Performance Indicator LDP Local Detailed Plan LED Local Economic Development LGAP Local Gender Action Plan LGFL Local Government Finance Law PLANNING AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT IN ALBANIA: COMPLETION REPORT (2012–2020) ii LGU Local Government Unit LPSC Local Public Security Council LSGL Law on Local Self-Government MAP Medicinal and Aromatic Plants MoFE Ministry of Finance and Economy MoI Ministry of Interior MoIE Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy MoSLI Minister of State for Local Issues MoUD Ministry of Urban Development NALAS Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe NCDLGS National Crosscutting Decentralization and Local Governance Strategy NGO Nongovernmental Organization NRW Non-Revenue Water NTC National Territorial Council NTPA National Territorial Planning Agency OSR Own-Source Revenue OSS One-Stop Shop P/CVE Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism PCV Peace Corps Volunteer PEFA Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability PFM Public Finance Management PIT Personal Income Tax PLGP Planning and Local Governance Project PMP Performance Monitoring Plan PPP Public-Private Partnership PVE Preventing Violent Extremism QSIP Quality Service Improvement Program RDF Regional Development Fund SECO Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs SP Socialist Party STAR Support for Territorial Administrative Reform Project STTA Short-Term Technical Assistance TAIS Local Tax Administration Information System TAP Trans-Adriatic Pipeline TAR Territorial Administrative Reform ToT Training of Trainers UNDP United Nations Development Program PLANNING AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT IN ALBANIA: COMPLETION REPORT (2012–2020) iii UNFPA United Nations Population Fund USAID United States Agency for International Development USG United States Government VE Violent Extremism Web-GIS Web-Based Geographic Information System WEE Women’s Economic Empowerment WPS Women, Peace, and Security WSBP Women’s Small Business Program WU Water Utility YAP Youth Academy Program PLANNING AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROJECT IN ALBANIA: COMPLETION REPORT (2012–2020) iv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The last nine years have been pivotal for local governments in Albania, with unprecedented opportunities to advance decentralization and strengthen local governance. The Government of Albania (GoA), despite a challenging political environment and competition over resources, succeeded in implementing decentralization legislation, policies, and reforms with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Planning and Local Governance Project (PLGP) as the lead technical assistance provider. The key building blocks constructed at the national level enhance the enabling environment for democratic decentralized local governance, and PLGP accompanied municipalities at the local level in applying those policies, amassing evidence to improve them, and building capacity of local officials to fulfil their promise of proximate, inclusive, and responsive services. PLGP evolved over its nine years from four components focused generally on technical issues of policy, utility management and service delivery, local government institution strengthening, and urban planning. As the policy framework became more complete, these first components refocused on more specific technical issues, such as fiscal decentralization. In the last years of the project, USAID turned its attention to more nuanced issues of local governance, like fostering community resilience and enabling economic empowerment. These emerged with the awareness that the marginalization in Albania of vulnerable people—women and ethnic and religious minorities—was exacerbating the phenomenon of violent extremism and foreign fighting, as well as continuing the exclusion of women from remunerated roles in the productive economy. Context. When PLGP was launched in January of 2012, Albania was facing unprecedented opportunities to advance decentralization and strengthen a system of local governance that met European standards and practices for entry into the European Union (EU). Despite openings, challenges to decentralization arose: Polarization of political parties inhibited thoughtful discussion and consideration of public policies affecting local government and decentralization. Territorial reform linked to decentralization initiatives would result in a significant reduction in the number of local government units (LGUs), creating a controversial loss of political power for many local-level officials and a corresponding diminishment of opportunities for patronage. Local governance in 2020 is significantly improved due to the advancement of the decentralization agenda. Municipalities have the experience of their first mandate post-territorial reform to better understand their new functions, engage their citizens in planning those functions, and use more revenues to provide services through more transparent, equitable transfers and new borrowing possibilities. The U.S. Ambassador Arvizu giving remarks during the PLGP launching ceremony on May National Crosscutting Strategy 18, 2012. for Decentralization and Local Governance,
Recommended publications
  • Trigonometric Functions
    Trigonometric Functions This worksheet covers the basic characteristics of the sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant, and cosecant trigonometric functions. Sine Function: f(x) = sin (x) • Graph • Domain: all real numbers • Range: [-1 , 1] • Period = 2π • x intercepts: x = kπ , where k is an integer. • y intercepts: y = 0 • Maximum points: (π/2 + 2kπ, 1), where k is an integer. • Minimum points: (3π/2 + 2kπ, -1), where k is an integer. • Symmetry: since sin (–x) = –sin (x) then sin(x) is an odd function and its graph is symmetric with respect to the origin (0, 0). • Intervals of increase/decrease: over one period and from 0 to 2π, sin (x) is increasing on the intervals (0, π/2) and (3π/2 , 2π), and decreasing on the interval (π/2 , 3π/2). Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc Trigonometric Functions Cosine Function: f(x) = cos (x) • Graph • Domain: all real numbers • Range: [–1 , 1] • Period = 2π • x intercepts: x = π/2 + k π , where k is an integer. • y intercepts: y = 1 • Maximum points: (2 k π , 1) , where k is an integer. • Minimum points: (π + 2 k π , –1) , where k is an integer. • Symmetry: since cos(–x) = cos(x) then cos (x) is an even function and its graph is symmetric with respect to the y axis. • Intervals of increase/decrease: over one period and from 0 to 2π, cos (x) is decreasing on (0 , π) increasing on (π , 2π). Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc Trigonometric Functions Tangent Function : f(x) = tan (x) • Graph • Domain: all real numbers except π/2 + k π, k is an integer.
    [Show full text]
  • Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in Albania Annual Report 2012
    Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in Extractive Industries Albania Transparency Initiative in Albania ReportAnnual for theReport year 2012 November 2014 Table of contents Executive Summary 4 1. Introduction 8 2. Overview of the extractive sector in Albania 11 3. Overview of flows reported and reporting entities 37 4. Approach, methodology and work done 38 5. Reconciliation summary 41 6. Results of the reconciliation 42 7. Lessons learned and recommendations 51 Glossary and abbreviations 55 Appendix 1: Disaggregated reconciliation from the oil and gas sector 56 Appendix 2: Disaggregated reconciliation from the mining sector 58 Deloitte Audit Albania sh.p.k Rr. Elbasanit. Pallati poshte Fakulteti Gjeologji- Miniera Tirana, Albania Tel: +355 4 45 17 920 Fax: +355 4 45 17 990 www.deloitte.al VAT (NUIS) No: L41709002H The Albanian Working Group c/o Ministry of Energy and Industry “Deshmoret e Kombit” Blv. Tirana, Albania Report of factual findings - assembly and reconciliation of cash flows This report summarizes the result of the reconciliation of cash flows from the petroleum and mining activities as part of the implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in Albania for the year 2012. The report consists of seven chapters. Chapter 1 describes the background and objective of the reporting. Chapter 2 provides contextual information on the industry. The reporting, compilation, and reconciliation processes are presented in chapters 3 and 4. Chapter 5 provides a short summary of the reconciliation. In chapter 6, the compilation and reconciliation of payments is presented on an aggregated level. Lessons learned during this year’s reconciliation are summarized in chapter 7.
    [Show full text]
  • A4 Cover EN LQ
    BECOMEBECOME PARTPART OFOF THETHE IPARDIPARD PROGRAMPROGRAM 33RDRD CALLCALL WEWE SUPPORTSUPPORT THETHE DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT OFOF ALBANIANALBANIAN AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE 10 December 2020 - 25 January 2021 azhbr.gov.al - ipard.gov.al GRANTS SCHEMES IPARD II 2014-2020 Guideline for Applicants THIRD CALL FOR GRANT SUPPORT 10 December 2020 -25 January 2021 Measure 1 (All Sectors) And Measure 3 ( Sektor of Fruits – Vegitables) *Sector of Wine is not included SUPPORT OF GRANTS IS CO-FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT EU contribution in total - 75% Contribution of Albanian Government in total - 25% 2020 Contents 1. Objectives, Priorities and Measures of the IPARD II Programme ............................................... 3 1.1 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Objectives of the IPARD II Programme for the period of 2014-2020 ........................................... 4 1.3 Key Definitions ................................................................................................................................... 6 2. Measure 1 - Investments in physical assets of Agricultural Holdings: ................................................ 7 2.1 Aid Intensity under Measure 1 ......................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Eligibility of Recipients under Measure 1 .......................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Baseline Study: Socio-Economic Situation And
    Program funded by Counselling Line for Women and Girls This report was developed by the Counseling Line for Women and Girls with the support of Hedayah and the European Union, as part of an initiative to preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism in Albania. BASELINE REPORT Socio-economic Situation and Perceptions of Violent Extremism and Radicalization in the Municipalities of Pogradec, Bulqizë, Devoll, and Librazhd Baseline Report Socio-economic Situation and Perceptions of Violent Extremism and Radicalization in the Municipalities of Pogradec, Bulqizë, Devoll, and Librazhd Tirana, 2020 This report was developed by the Counseling Line for Women and Girls with the support of Hedayah and the European Union, as part of an initiative to preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism in Albania. 1 Index Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Key findings ................................................................................................................................................... 5 Municipality of Pogradec .............................................................................................................................. 6 Socio-economic profile of the municipality .............................................................................................. 6 Demographics ......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Lesson 6: Trigonometric Identities
    1. Introduction An identity is an equality relationship between two mathematical expressions. For example, in basic algebra students are expected to master various algbriac factoring identities such as a2 − b2 =(a − b)(a + b)or a3 + b3 =(a + b)(a2 − ab + b2): Identities such as these are used to simplifly algebriac expressions and to solve alge- a3 + b3 briac equations. For example, using the third identity above, the expression a + b simpliflies to a2 − ab + b2: The first identiy verifies that the equation (a2 − b2)=0is true precisely when a = b: The formulas or trigonometric identities introduced in this lesson constitute an integral part of the study and applications of trigonometry. Such identities can be used to simplifly complicated trigonometric expressions. This lesson contains several examples and exercises to demonstrate this type of procedure. Trigonometric identities can also used solve trigonometric equations. Equations of this type are introduced in this lesson and examined in more detail in Lesson 7. For student’s convenience, the identities presented in this lesson are sumarized in Appendix A 2. The Elementary Identities Let (x; y) be the point on the unit circle centered at (0; 0) that determines the angle t rad : Recall that the definitions of the trigonometric functions for this angle are sin t = y tan t = y sec t = 1 x y : cos t = x cot t = x csc t = 1 y x These definitions readily establish the first of the elementary or fundamental identities given in the table below. For obvious reasons these are often referred to as the reciprocal and quotient identities.
    [Show full text]
  • ALBANIAN ROAD AUTHORITY Protocol No. ___Tirana, On
    ALBANIAN ROAD AUTHORITY LEGAL AND STANDARDS COMPLIANCE DIRECTORATE Protocol No. __________ Tirana, on ________ 2020 CONTRACT NOTICE 1. Name and address of contracting authority Name Albanian Road Authority Address “Sami Frashëri” Str., No. 33, Tirana Tel/Fax +355 4 2234487 Person responsible Miranda Shkurti E-mail [email protected] Website www.arrsh.gov.al 2. Type of procurement procedure: Restricted (above the Highest Monetary Limit) 3. Object of the contract/framework agreement: “Performance-based maintenance of the roads - South Region” (divided into 13 Lots) 4. Number of reference of the procedure /lot: REF-65438-07-14-2020 • Number of reference of Lot I: REF-65440-07-14-2020 • Number of reference of Lot II: REF-65442-07-14-2020 • Number of reference of Lot III: REF-65444-07-14-2020 • Number of reference of Lot IV: REF-56546-04-22-2020 • Number of reference of Lot V: REF-65448-07-14-2020 • Number of reference of Lot VI: REF-65450-07-14-2020 • Number of reference of Lot VII: REF-65452-07-14-2020 • Number of reference of Lot VIII: REF-65454-07-14-2020 • Number of reference of Lot IX: REF-65456-07-14-2020 • Number of reference of Lot X: REF-65458-07-14-2020 • Number of reference of Lot XI: REF-65460-07-14-2020 • Number of reference of Lot XII: REF-65462-07-14-2020 • Number of reference of Lot XIII: REF-65464-07-14-2020 5. Limit fund of the framework agreement (general): ALL 2.008.824.459 (two billion and eight million and eight hundred and twenty-four thousand and four hundred and fifty-nine) excluding VAT, divided into 13 lots.
    [Show full text]
  • Albania Environmental Performance Reviews
    Albania Environmental Performance Reviews Third Review ECE/CEP/183 UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS ALBANIA Third Review UNITED NATIONS New York and Geneva, 2018 Environmental Performance Reviews Series No. 47 NOTE Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. In particular, the boundaries shown on the maps do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. The United Nations issued the second Environmental Performance Review of Albania (Environmental Performance Reviews Series No. 36) in 2012. This volume is issued in English only. Information cut-off date: 16 November 2017. ECE Information Unit Tel.: +41 (0)22 917 44 44 Palais des Nations Fax: +41 (0)22 917 05 05 CH-1211 Geneva 10 Email: [email protected] Switzerland Website: http://www.unece.org ECE/CEP/183 UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION Sales No.: E.18.II.E.20 ISBN: 978-92-1-117167-9 eISBN: 978-92-1-045180-2 ISSN 1020–4563 iii Foreword The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Environmental Performance Review (EPR) Programme provides assistance to member States by regularly assessing their environmental performance. Countries then take steps to improve their environmental management, integrate environmental considerations into economic sectors, increase the availability of information to the public and promote information exchange with other countries on policies and experiences.
    [Show full text]
  • Response of the Albanian Government
    CPT/Inf (2006) 25 Response of the Albanian Government to the report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) on its visit to Albania from 23 May to 3 June 2005 The Albanian Government has requested the publication of this response. The report of the CPT on its May/June 2005 visit to Albania is set out in document CPT/Inf (2006) 24. Strasbourg, 12 July 2006 Response of the Albanian Government to the report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) on its visit to Albania from 23 May to 3 June 2005 - 5 - REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Legal Representative Office No.______ Tirana, on 20.03.2006 Subject: The Albanian Authority’s Responses on the Report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and other Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CPT) The Committee for the Prevention of Torture and other Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CPT) Mrs. Silvia CASALE - President Council of Europe - Strasbourg Dear Madam, Referring to your letter date 21 December 2005 in the report of 2005 of CPT for Albania, we inform that our state authorities are thoroughly engaged to realize the demands and recommendations made by the CPT and express their readiness to cooperate for the implementation and to take the concrete measures for the resolution of the evidenced problems in this report. Responding to your request for information as regards to the implementation of the submitted recommendations provided in the paragraphs 68, 70, 98, 131, 156 of the report within three months deadline, we inform that we have taken a response form the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health meanwhile the Ministry of interior will give a response as soon as possible.
    [Show full text]
  • Calculus Terminology
    AP Calculus BC Calculus Terminology Absolute Convergence Asymptote Continued Sum Absolute Maximum Average Rate of Change Continuous Function Absolute Minimum Average Value of a Function Continuously Differentiable Function Absolutely Convergent Axis of Rotation Converge Acceleration Boundary Value Problem Converge Absolutely Alternating Series Bounded Function Converge Conditionally Alternating Series Remainder Bounded Sequence Convergence Tests Alternating Series Test Bounds of Integration Convergent Sequence Analytic Methods Calculus Convergent Series Annulus Cartesian Form Critical Number Antiderivative of a Function Cavalieri’s Principle Critical Point Approximation by Differentials Center of Mass Formula Critical Value Arc Length of a Curve Centroid Curly d Area below a Curve Chain Rule Curve Area between Curves Comparison Test Curve Sketching Area of an Ellipse Concave Cusp Area of a Parabolic Segment Concave Down Cylindrical Shell Method Area under a Curve Concave Up Decreasing Function Area Using Parametric Equations Conditional Convergence Definite Integral Area Using Polar Coordinates Constant Term Definite Integral Rules Degenerate Divergent Series Function Operations Del Operator e Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Deleted Neighborhood Ellipsoid GLB Derivative End Behavior Global Maximum Derivative of a Power Series Essential Discontinuity Global Minimum Derivative Rules Explicit Differentiation Golden Spiral Difference Quotient Explicit Function Graphic Methods Differentiable Exponential Decay Greatest Lower Bound Differential
    [Show full text]
  • Derivation of Sum and Difference Identities for Sine and Cosine
    Derivation of sum and difference identities for sine and cosine John Kerl January 2, 2012 The authors of your trigonometry textbook give a geometric derivation of the sum and difference identities for sine and cosine. I find this argument unwieldy | I don't expect you to remember it; in fact, I don't remember it. There's a standard algebraic derivation which is far simpler. The only catch is that you need to use complex arithmetic, which we don't cover in Math 111. Nonetheless, I will present the derivation so that you will have seen how simple the truth can be, and so that you may come to understand it after you've had a few more math courses. And in fact, all you need are the following facts: • Complex numbers are of the form a+bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is defined to be a square root of −1. That is, i2 = −1. (Of course, (−i)2 = −1 as well, so −i is the other square root of −1.) • The number a is called the real part of a + bi; the number b is called the imaginary part of a + bi. All the real numbers you're used to working with are already complex numbers | they simply have zero imaginary part. • To add or subtract complex numbers, add the corresponding real and imaginary parts. For example, 2 + 3i plus 4 + 5i is 6 + 8i. • To multiply two complex numbers a + bi and c + di, just FOIL out the product (a + bi)(c + di) and use the fact that i2 = −1.
    [Show full text]
  • Fiscal Policy Impact on Tobacco Consumption in High Smoking Prevalence Transition Economies - the Case of Albania
    Fiscal policy impact on tobacco consumption in high smoking prevalence transition economies - the case of Albania Aida Gjika, Faculty of Economics, University of Tirana and Development Solutions Associates, Klodjan Rama, Faculty of Agriculture, Agricultural University of Tirana and Development Solutions Associates Edvin Zhllima, Faculty of Economics and Agribusiness, Agricultural University of Tirana, Development Solutions Associates and CERGE EI Drini Imami, Faculty of Economics and Agribusiness, Agricultural University of Tirana, Development Solutions Associates and CERGE EI Abstract This paper analysis the determinant factors of tobacco consumption in of Albania, which is one of the countries with highest smoking prevalence in Europe. To empirically estimate the elasticity of cigarettes demand in Albania, this paper uses the Living Standard Measurement Survey (LSMS) applying the Deaton’s (1988) demand model. Our paper estimates an Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS), which allows disentangling quality choice from exogenous price variations through the use of unit values from cigarette consumption. Following a three-stage procedure, the estimated results suggest that the price elasticity is around -0.57. The price elasticity appears to be within the range of estimated elasticities in developing countries and in line with the estimates elasticities from the model using aggregate data. In terms of the control variables, it seems that the total expenditure, household size, male to female ratio and adult ratio are important determinants of tobacco demand in Albania. Thus, since an increase in price, which have been mainly driven by the increases of taxes, have demonstrated to have had a significant impact on tobacco consumption, the government should further engage in gradual increase of taxation.
    [Show full text]
  • Supervision Annual Report Supervision Annual Report 2007 B a N K O F a L B a N I A
    2007 Supervision Annual Report Supervision Annual Report 2007 B a n k o f A l b a n i a SUPERVISION ANNUAL REPORT 2 0 0 7 PB Bank of Albania Bank of Albania 2007 Supervision Annual Report Supervision Annual Report 2007 If you use data from this publication, you are requested to cite the source. Published by : Bank of Albania, Sheshi “Skënderbej”, No., Tirana, Albania Tel : 55-4-222220; 225568; 225569; Fax : 55-4-222558 www.bankofalbania.org For enquiries relating to this publication, please contact: Publications Section, Foreign Relations, European Integration and Communication Department e-mail: [email protected] Printed in: 000 copies 2 Bank of Albania Bank of Albania 2007 Supervision Annual Report Supervision Annual Report 2007 CONTENT S A. DOCUMENT “ON SUPERVISION MISSION” 7 B. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND LICENSING PROCESS 9 . Legal and regulatory framework 9 2. Licensing C. ON-SITE SUPERVISION 7 . Activity of the on-site supervision function 7 2. Cooperation with other authorities 7 . Problems observed during the examinations 8 D. BANKING SYSTEN AND NON-BANK DEVELOPMENTS 22 . Economic environment 22 2. Main banking system highlights 24 . Banking system structure 26 4. Managing banking activity risk 5. Capital adequacy 40 6. Profitability indicators 4 7. Non-bank financial institutions 49 E. CREDIT REGISTRY 52 . Overview 52 2. Main characteristics of the Credit Registry 5 . Reports and information designed by the Credit Registry 54 F. OTHER 55 . Housing loans. Financial stability implications 55 2. Albanian banking system position related to IFRS 60 G. AnneX 66 Annex . Organisational chart of the Banking Supervision Department (dated December 31, 2007) 66 Annex 2.
    [Show full text]