Assessing the role of the private sector in the country’s EU integration process

Abstract

Acknowledging the private sector as a key interest group for the EU poliymaking level, little importance is given to the role of this sector during one country’s EU negotiation and membership processes. At the candidate country level, this role is articulated implicitily, but insufficiently. There are in general few evidences on the private sector interest and contribution to the EU integration process, although they remain country specific. Additionally, key connecting linkages between the private sector and EU processes relate to the impact the latter have on the private sector, regarding all internal transformation processes and adaptation to the "new market rules". Regarding Albania, there is currently: (1) no analysis on the private sector level of information on the EU, reforms, costs/benefits, together with the role and contribution that may come to the negotiation stages by the sector; (2) no assessment of the sector's perceptions of difficulties and potentials, as well as expectations at national/European level; and (3) no assessment of the current capacity to face the challenges and benefit from the potentials within EU, as a larger market. An evidence-based analysis on these issues will be conducted for the Albanian case, conducting a questionnaire that targets 65 top companies by sectors that will be previously selected based on a prioritization methodology. Starting a comprehensive public discussion on connecting linkages between the EU integration process and the private sector is necessary in this “momentum” of the country, aiming at helping the policy-making with practical evidences on the current capacities and expectations of the sector, as well as spaces/instruments for further involvement and contribution.