This report covers the key macroeconomic and financial releases as well as the political events from Albania for the period of January 11, 2016 – February 11, 2016. S&P upgrades Albania’s long-term rating to B+ on better fiscal performance Veneto Banca seeks buyers for its subsidiaries in Romania, Moldova, Albania and Croatia EC slightly cuts forecast for Albania’s GDP in 2016 to 3.2% Canada’s oil co Petromanas Energy to sell Albanian assets to Shell for $45mn Albania launches tender to privatise insurer Insig First shipment of pipes for TAP gas project to arrive in Albania in spring Albanian c-bank governor expects bad loan ratio to fall to 15% in 2016 Albanian police wear body cameras to fight corruption EBRD adopts new strategy for Albania with investment priorities for 2016-19 Key points: • Albania's CPI inflation slows to 1.5% y/y in January • Albania’s trade gap widens 1.6% y/y in 2015 • Insurance market in Albania grows 21.2% y/y in 2015 • Albanian banks’ lending standards eased for businesses and households in Q4 2015