RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/ACC/SPEC/ALB/5 
25 August 1998 
 (98-3299) 
Working Party on the  
Accession of Albania  Original:  English 
 
 
 
ACCESSION OF ALBANIA 
 
Draft Schedule on Services  
 
 
 The following draft Schedule on Services has been received from the Ministry of Economic 
Cooperation and Trade of th e Republic of Albania. 
 
_______________ 
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Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply  2) Consumption ab road  3) Commercial presence  4) Presence of natural persons 
Sector or sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Li mitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments 
A.  HORIZONTAL COMMITMENTS 
Real Estate  3) Foreigne rs are not permitted to own 
agricultural land.  Non-Albanians are allowed only to lease agricultural land 
up to 99 years. 
  
Privatization 3) The privatization process in several 
sectors may restrict the total number of operators (foreign and local) and may limit the shares owned by foreigners in 
the enterprise to be privatized. 3) The privatization of large-scale SOEs 
excludes foreign participation in some sectors.  
Entry and Temporary Stay of 
Foreign Natural Persons 4) Unbound, except for measures 
concerning the entry and temporary stay of natural persons in the following categories: business visitors, intra-corporate 
transferees (executives, managers, 
specialists) and professionals under service contract.   
Capital Outflows/Inflows All pers ons must have approval from the 
Bank of Albania for capital outflows (foreign exchange) in excess of US$5000.  All persons must declare the amount in 
cash/traveller's checks in excess of 
US$5000 or equivalent in any other currency when leaving or entering country.     
 
 
 
 
   
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1.  BUSINESS SERVICES 
A.  Professional Services 
(a)  Legal services (861) 
Legal advisory and 
representation services concerning criminal law (86111) 1) None. 
2) None. 3) Only Albanian citizens-attorneys-at-law and who reside in Albania have the 
right to render such services. 
4) Only Albanian citizens-attorneys-at-law and who reside in Albania have the right to render such services. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) Unbound.  
 
4) Unbound.  
Legal advisory and 
representation services in 
judicial procedure concerning 
fields of law other than criminal law (86119)  1) None. 
2) None. 
3) Only Albanian citizens-attorneys-at-
law and who reside in Albania have the right to render such services. 4) Only Albanian citizens-attorneys-at-law and who reside in Albania have the 
right to render such services. 
 1) None. 
2) None. 
3) Unbound. 
  4) Unbound.     
Legal advisory and 
representation services in statutory procedures of quasi-judicial tribunals, boards, etc. (86120) 1) None. 
2) None. 3) Only Albanian citizens-attorneys-at-law and who reside in Albania have the right to render such services. 
4) Only Albanian citizens-attorneys-at-
law and who reside in Albania have the right to render such services. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) Unbound.   
4) Unbound.   
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Sector or sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Li mitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments 
Legal documentation and 
certification services (86130) 1) None. 
2) None. 3) Only Albanian citizens-notaries who reside in Albania have the right to render 
such services. 
4) Only Albanian citizen-notaries who reside in Albania have the right to render such services. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) Unbound.  
 
4) Unbound.  
Other legal advisory and 
information services (86190) 1) None. 
2) None. 
3) Only Albanian citizens-notaries who 
reside in Albania have the right to render such services. 4) Only Albanian citizen-notaries who reside in Albania have the right to render such services. 1) None. 
2) None. 
3) Unbound. 
  4) Unbound.  
Notary services (****) 1) None. 
2) None. 
3) Only Albanian citizens-notaries who reside in Albania have the right to render such services. 4) Only Albanian citizen-notaries who 
reside in Albania have the right to render 
such services. 1) None. 
2) None. 
3) Unbound.   4) Unbound. 
  
 
(h) Medical and dental services 1) Unbound* 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound. 1) Unbound
.* 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound, except that licensing is 
done in cooperation with an Albanian 
professional.  
                                                      
* Due to lack of technical feasibility.  
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(j) Services provided by 
midwives nurses, physiotherapists and paramedical personnel 1) Unbound.
 * 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound. 1) Unbound.
 * 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound, except that licensing is 
done in cooperation with an Albanian 
professional.  
 
2.  COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES 
C.  Telecommunications services 
(a)   Public telephone services  (7521) 
public local telephone services 1) Unbound.* 
2) None. 3) Voice telephony in urban areas is classified as a limited competition service 
and can be offered by a limited number of 
operators. Pending legislation due at the end of 1998 will announce the starting date for liberalization.  The number of operators will be defined in the pending 
legislation at the end of the 1998.  Rural 
telephony is fully liberalized. 4) Unbound.
 * 
 1) Unbound.* 
2) None. 3) None.  
 
    
 
 4) Unbound.
 *  
 
public long distance telephone services (75212) 1) Unbound.
 * 
2) Unbound. * 
3) Existing operators (AT and AMC)  
have exclusive rights until 2008. 
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 
 
4) Unbound.  
 
 
  
                                                     
 
* Due to lack of technical feasibility.  
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Sector or sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Li mitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments 
Data and message transmission services (7523) 
(b) Packet-switched data 
transmission services (75231)  1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound.  
(c) Circuit-switched data 
transmission services (75232) 1) None. 
2) None. 
3) None. 4) None. 1) None. 
2) None. 
3) None. 4) Unbound.  
(d) Telex services (7523**)  1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 
4) None. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 
4) Unbound.  
(e) Telegraph services (7522) 1) None. 
2) None. 3) AT  has exclusive rights 4) None. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound.  
(f) Facsimile services (75211, 
7559) 1) None. 
2) None. 
3) AT  has exclusive rights 
4) None. 1) None. 
2) None. 
3) None. 
4) Unbound.   
(g) Private leased circuit 
services 1) None. 
2) None. 3) Sale and lease of capacity of leased circuits is not allowed. 
4) None. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None.  
4) Unbound.  
(o) other (7529) 1) None. 
2) None. 3) Unbound. 4) None. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound.   
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Paging services, value-added 
services, and CATV 1) None. 
2) None. 3) Unbound. 4) None. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound.  
Analog/digital cellular/mobile 
telephone services 1) None. 
2) None. 
3) AMC is the only active mobile operator in Albania, but AT has the right to offer mobile services also.  Privatization is set for the end of 1998, 
increasing the number of suppliers. 
4) None. 1) None. 
2) None. 
3) None.    
 
4) Unbound.  
 
5.  EDUCATIONAL SERVICES 
A. Primary educational services 1) Unbound. 
2) None. 3) None, but requires approval by Ministry of Education and requires an 
Albanian license (educational 
certification). 4) None, but history of Albania and Albanian language course must be taught by Albanians.  All other subjects can be taught by foreigners. 1) Unbound. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None.  
B. Secondary educational 
services 
 1) Unbound. 
2) None. 
3) None, but requires approval by Ministry of Education and requires an Albanian license (educational certification). 
4) None, but history of Albania and 
Albanian language course must be taught by Albanians.  All other subjects can be taught by foreigners. 1) Unbound. 
2) None. 
3) None.    
4) None. 
   
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Sector or sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Li mitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments 
C. Higher educational services 
 1) Unbound. 
2) None. 3) Unbound, but draft is in progress. 4) None, but neither certificates nor 
diplomas are recognized in Albania.  
Courses longer than a year are allowed but must be associated with a university and needs approval of ministry.  1) Unbound. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None.  
D. Adult educational services 1) Unbound. 
2) None.  
3) Unbound. 
4) None, but neither certificates nor diplomas are recognized in Albania.  Courses longer than a year are allowed but must be associated with a university and needs approval of ministry. 1) Unbound. 
2) None. 
3) None. 
4) None.  
 
6.  ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 
A.  Sewage services 1) Unbound* 
2) Unbound* 
3) Unbound, except as provided in the horizontal section. 4) Unbound, except as provided in the horizontal section 1) Unbound
* 
2) Unbound* 
3) Unbound. 4) Unbound.  
B. Refuse disposal services 1) Unbound. * 
2) None. 
3) None. 4) Unbound, except as provided in the horizontal section. 1) Unbound.
 * 
2) None. 
3) None. 4) Unbound  
                                                      
* Due to lack of technical feasibility.  
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C. Sanitation and similar 
services   1) Unbound.
 * 
2) None. 3) Unbound. 4) Unbound, except as provided in the 
horizontal section.. 1) Unbound.
 * 
2) None. 3) Unbound. 4) Unbound.  
 
7. FINANCIAL SERVICES 
A. Insurance services 1) Unbound. 
2) None.    
 
 3) Foreign participation in a joint-venture company can not be more than 40% of the capital of the enterprise and no more than 
40% voting interests. 
A foreign company can undertake insurance and/or reinsurance activities in the Republic of Albania only through its branch.   Insurance activities in Albania can be 
exercised by an enterprise with 100% 
foreign capital (i.e., a branch). 4) None.  1) None.  
2) Purchasing insurance outside the Republic of Albania for risks to a person, object, or a liability situated in the Republic of Albania is not allowed.  
Exceptions to this rule are maritime and 
aerial transport.    3) None.   
 
     
 
 4) The board of directors must have residency and reside in Albania.    
- A foreign enterprise can exercise insurance and/or re-insurance activities in the Republic of Albania only if it has exercised 
those activities for more than 10 
years in the country where the head office is located. - To be granted authorization, the foreign enterprise needs to:  (a) 
have in assets in the ROA equal to 
half of the value of the minimum reserve requirement, and (b) to deposit a quarter of the minimum reserve as a guarantee which will be refunded in the case official 
authorization is denied. 
B.  Banking and other financial services 
(a) Acceptance of deposits and 
other repayable funds from the 
public 1) None.  
2) Capital transfers abroad are subject to 
prior written approval of the BOA (as 
noted in the horizontal section). 3) None. 4) Unbound. 1) None. 
2) None. 
 
 3) None. 4) None.  
  
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Sector or sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Li mitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments 
(b) Lending of all types, 
including consumer credit, mortgage credit factoring and financing of commercial 
transaction 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None.  
(c) Financial leasing 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None.  
(d) All payment and money 
transmission services 1) None, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. 
2) None, except as indicated in the horizontal section. 3) None. 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section 1) None. 
2) None. 
  3) None. 4) None.  
(e) Guarantees and 
commitments  1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None.   
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(f) Trading for own account or 
for account of customers whether on an exchange checks, bills, certificates and 
deposits, etc) 
-  foreign exchange -  derivative products  including, but not  limited to futures and 
 options 
-  exchange rate and  interest rate instruments,  including such as  swaps, forward rate  arrangements, etc 
-  transferable securities;  
-  other negotiable  instruments and  financial assets,  including bullion 
-  money market 
 instruments 1) Unbound. 
2) Unbound. 3) None. 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal commitments. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None.  
(g) Participation in issues of all 
kinds of securities, including underwriting and placement as agent (whether publicly or 
privately) and provision of 
service related to such issues. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None. 
  
(h) Money broking 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None.   
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Sector or sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Li mitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments 
(i) Asset management, such as 
cash or portfolio management, pension fund management, custodial and trust services. 1) Unbound. 
2) Unbound. 3) None. 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None.  
(j) Settlement and clearing 
services of financial assets, including securities, derivative products, and other negotiable instruments. 1) Unbound. 
2) Unbound. 3) Settlements and clearing services for the timing being are offered by the BOA only.  
4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None.   
4) None.  
(k) Advisory and other auxiliary 
financial services and all activities listed in article B of MFN. TNC/W/50, including credit reference and analysis, 
investment and portfolio 
research and advice on acquisitions and on corporate restructuring and strategy.   1) Unbound. 
2) Unbound. 3) None. 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the 
horizontal section. 
 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None. 
  
(l) Provision and transfer and 
financial information, and 
financial data processing related software by providers of other financial services.  1) Unbound. 
2) Unbound. 
3) Unbound. 4) Unbound, except as indicated in the horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 
3) None. 4) None.   
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 Page 13Sector or sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Li mitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments 
8.  HEALTH-RELATED AND SOCIAL SERVICES (other than those listed under 1.A.h-j.) 
A. Hospital services (9311) 1) Unbound.* 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound. 1) Unbound
* 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound, except that licensing is 
done in cooperation with an Albanian 
professional.  
B. Other human health services 
(9319, other than 93191) 1) Unbound. * 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound. 1) Unbound
* 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound, except that licensing is 
done in cooperation with an Albanian 
professional.  
9.  TOURISM AND TRAVEL-RELATED SERVICES 
A. Hotels and other lodging  
services (CPC Ex 641) 1) Unbound* 
2) None 3) None 4) Unbound, except as provided in the 
horizontal section. 1) Unbound
* 
2) None 3) None 4) Unbound.  
B. Travel agencies and tour  
operators services(CPC  7471) 1) Unbound* 
2) None 3) None 4) Unbound, except as provided in the horizontal section. 1) Unbound
* 
2) None 3) None 4) Unbound.  
C. Tourist guide services  
(CPC 7472)  1) Unbound* 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound, except as provided in the horizontal section.  1) Unbound
* 
2) None 
3) None 
4) Unbound.  
 
 
 
                                                      
* Due to lack of technical feasibility.  
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Sector or sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Li mitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments 
10.  RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND SPORTING SERVICES 
A.  Entertainment services 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None, except as provided in the horizontal section. 
4) Unbound, except as provided in the 
horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None.  
4) None.  
D. Sporting and other 
recreational services 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None, except as provided in the horizontal section. 
4) Unbound, except as provided in the 
horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None.  
 
11.  TRANSPORT SERVICES 
A.  Maritime transport services 
(a) Passenger service transportation 1) Unbound. 
2) None.  3) None.   4) Unbound, except as provided in the 
horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None.  
(b) Freight transportation 
services 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound, except as provided in the horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None.   
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(c) Rental of vessel with crew 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) Unbound, except as provided in the 
horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None.  
(d) Maintenance and repair of 
vessels 1) Unbound.* 
2) None. 3) None, except foreign enterprise must be registered in Albania. 4) Unbound, except as provided in the 
horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None.  4) None.  
(e) Pushing and towing services 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None.  1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None. This service is performed by the 
enterprises located at the port, which at present are subject to price controls.  In the future, privatization of services at the port will be offered without  price 
controls. 
(f) Supporting services for 
maritime transport 1) Unbound. 
2) Unbound. 3) Unbound. 4) Unbound. 1) Unbound. 
2) Unbound. 3) Unbound. 4) Unbound. Supporting services are performed 
by the State Port Authority.  These services are included in the law on privatization of strategic enterprises.  In the meantime 
privatization of different services 
has started, e.g., shipping agency, pilot services, garbage services, forwarding services, etc. 
 
  
 
 
                                                     
 
* Not technically feasible.  
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Sector or sub-sector Limitations on Market Access Li mitations on National Treatment Additional Commitments 
B. Internal waterways transport 
(a) Passenger transportation 
(b) freight transportation 1) Unbound. 
2) None.  3) None,  but foreign enterprises or their affiliates  must be registered in Albania. 
4) Unbound, except as provided in the 
horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 4) None.  
(e) Pushing and towing services 
 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None.  4) None. 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None.  4) None. This service is performed by the 
enterprises located at the port, which at present are subject to price controls.  In the future, 
privatization of services at the port 
will be offered without  price controls. 
(f) supporting services for internal waterway transport 1) Unbound. 
2) Unbound. 3) Unbound. 
4) Unbound. 1) Unbound. 
2) Unbound. 3) Unbound. 
4) Unbound. Supporting services are performed 
by the State Port Authority.  These services are included in the law on 
privatization of strategic 
enterprises.  In the meantime privatization of different services has started, e.g., shipping agency, pilot services, garbage services, forwarding services, etc. 
C.  Air transport services 
(a)  Passenger transportation 
(b)  Freight transportation 
(c)  Rental of aircraft with crew 1) Unbound. 
2) None. 
3) None, except international transportation is subject to bilateral agreements. 4) Unbound, except as provided in the 
horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 
3) None.   4) None.  
 
 
  
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F.  Road transport services 
(a) Passenger transportation 
(i) international passenger 
transport 1) Unbound. 
2) None. 3) None, except that international passenger transport is subject to bilateral 
and multilateral agreements.  
4) Unbound, except as provided in the horizontal section 1) None. 
2) None. 3) None.  
 
4) None.  
(ii) domestic passenger transport 1) Unbound.* 
2) None. 3) None, except that foreign enterprises or 
their affiliates must be registered in 
Albania.  Cabotage is prohibited. 4) Unbound, except as provided in the horizontal section.  1) None. 
2) None. 3) None. 
 
 4) None.   
(b) freight transportation 
(c) rental of commercial 
vehicles with operators 1) Unbound. 
2) None. 
3) Unbound, except foreign enterprises or 
their affiliates engaged in domestic freight 
transport must be registered in Albania because cabotage is prohibited. 4) Unbound, except as provided in the horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 
3) None. 
   4) None.  
(d) maintenance and repair of 
road transport equipment 
(e) supporting service for road transportation services 1) Unbound. 
2) None. 
3) None, except foreign enterprises or their affiliates must be registered in Albania. 4) Unbound, except as provided in the 
horizontal section. 1) None. 
2) None. 
3) None.   4) None.  
__________ 
                                                      
* Not applicable.