POST-COMMUNIST ALBANIA: THE ROLE OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS IN DRIVING ECONOMIC GROWTH

This thesis explores the evolving role of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in shaping Albania's post-communist economic development since the early 1990s. As the country transitioned from a centrally planned system to a market economy, FDI emerged as a key force behind structural reforms, economic revitalization, and Albania's growing integration into global markets. The study investigates how foreign investment has influenced the broader development trajectory, particularly in terms of economic growth, institutional change, and modernization. Drawing on both quantitative analysis and policy interpretation, it reflects on the uneven distribution of benefits across sectors and regions, as well as the ongoing tension between dependence on external capital and domestic economic autonomy. By situating Albania within the wider Western Balkan context, the research highlights the importance of long-term strategic planning to ensure that FDI contributes not only to growth but also to social equity and sustainable development.