INDUSTRIAL PARKS IN THE BALKANS AND THEIR PERFORMANCE IN COMPETITIVENESS GROWTH AND FDIs ATTRACTION

Abstract

Industrial Parks are a widespread initiative of the last decades especially in those countries that are trying to attract FDIs 237, to promote rapid industrialization andto achieve a more balanced regional distribution of production and employment.Industrial Parks provide optimal conditions for foreign investors and other entrepreneurs developing competitive industrial activities, because the parks ensureinfra structure, utilities and administration standards above the national average.Therefore they contribute directly in improving the country's attractive nessespecially for foreign investors that otherwise would have little or no motivation toinvest.This paper aims to explore the Industrial Parks experience in Albania and other Balkans countries and their FDI performance in order to evaluate the real outcomein comparison with their perceived advantages.For this purpose, it was conducted a wide literature review and a comparative analysis of Industrial Parks development in the Balkans and their FDI performance.Also a considerable number of half structured interviews were conducted with experts of actual and former units in charge of Industrial Parks development inAlbania in order to identify success factors and common problems that may lessen their impact as FDI attractors.