ACIT was initially established in 2002 as a project of USAID and performed under this status for more than six years.
In June 2008, it was legaly registered as an independent Non-for-Profit organization named "Albanian Centre for Competitiveness and International Trade (ACIT)" (Tirana’s Court Decision No. 473, Date 19 June, 2008), keeping the same profile as its antecedent program, namely:
"..thoroughly assessment of the business and export growth factors in Albania, the identification of the barriers and “bottlenecks" and exploring the sound tools, practices and policy-mixes, for addressing them, with the main goal to assist both, the private business and the decision makers, in their endeavor for increasing the trade performance and ensuring sustainable export growth at both, firm and economy level, through improved 1 competitiveness at all its dimensions.." .
The main objective of ACIT is to assist both, the private business and the decision making bodies, in their efforts for increasing the trade performance and ensuring sustainable export growth at both, firm and economy level, through improved competitiveness at all its dimensions.
ACIT services and expertise are extended to specific interest groups primarily the SMS but also the media and public at large, thus creating the necessary awareness and promoting the participation and informed debate on the effective policies and management issues.
Providing up-to-date and filtered economic information, performing quality research work especially regarding trade and competitiveness related issues, facilitating policy forums on these subjects, and undertaking capacity building activities, are the main areas of ACIT’s competency and expertise.
Promoting the regional cooperation, strengthening of the managerial capacities and factorial potential of Albanian firms, creation of a business-friendly policy and regulatory environment, etc., are also key directions of ACIT’s mission.
Obviously, areas like assessing the business and investment climate, facilitating the regulatory framework, monitoring its correct implementation, capacity building, and increasing the informed participation of all the interested and/or affected stakeholders to the reform processes, etc. seem to be closer to ACIT’s current program and experience. But also activities related to anticorruption, egovernment etc. are directions where ACIT could bring valuable contribution. Albanian Centre for Competitiveness and International Trade (ACIT)