Foreign investment in Albania goes mainly into property

Foreign investment in Albania reached €404m in the first quarter, the highest level for that period in four years.

The figure was about 12% higher than a year earlier.

Real estate took €172m, or more than 40% of all new foreign investment.

Finance and insurance received €68m.

Energy received €38m, while manufacturing received €30m.

Austria was the biggest source of foreign investment, followed by Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey.

The total stock of foreign investment in Albania reached €17.4bn.

Experts say Albania needs more investment in sectors that produce goods, create jobs and support long-term growth.