The new law on licenses, enacted on February 23, 2009, aims to reform business licensing procedures, a remaining source of corruption and a barrier to business operation in Albania. The Business Licensing Component of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Albania Threshold Program II will streamline the process by developing of a system to submit and track standardized business license applications electronically, through a National Licensing Center (NLC) based on a “one-stop-shop” concept.

The program’s Business Licensing Component works to achieve the following results:

NLC established with streamlined procedures and service windows throughout the country. This includes the establishment of a new one-stop-shop for licensing whih operates based on an IT system compatible with that of the National Registration Center (NRC), established during Stage I. NLC will process applications for business licenses using simplified procedures that reduce the time required to receive them.
Licenses submitted and tracked electronically, and interagency data exchanges occurring regularly. The EU-compliant NLC system will support a network of service windows throughout the country, a national business license register, and the capability to submit and track applications online. The project will support the digitalization of existing licenses as part of the NLC register. The NLC system can exchange data with other institutions, including competent licensing authorities.
Public aware of and monitoring NLC. This includes the support for a public information campaign on NLC, targeting business audiences and interest groups. The project will also help NLC create and operate a public information unit.

The outcomes of the project's engagement in business licensing include:

• Drafting and approval of the secondary legislation and amendments to sectoral laws;
• Defining the new one-stop-shop NLC procedures and organization;
• Designing and installing a new licensing IT system, EU compliant and compatible with the new business registry;
• Opening of NLC headquarters in June 2009, to be followed by the opening of the regional licensing service windows;
• Sreamlining the licensing process with the administrative steps required to obtain licenses decreased from 24 to 10, thus reducing the overall licence application processing time;
• Increassing Awareness of NCL;
• Monitoring of NLC operations by the civil society. 

BUSINESS LICENSING: GOALS AND TARGETS   Create a system to submit and track standardized business licenses electronically, using a “one-stop shop” concept and simplified procedures   National Licensing Center opened by June 2009, and in full operation by end of Year 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- BUSINESS LICENSING: PLANNED ACTIVITIES IN YEAR 1   Establish National Licensing Center and regional service windows   Create web-based electronic registry for all licenses and applications   Inform public of new services and establish monitoring functions