This report covers the key macroeconomic and financial releases as well as the political events from Albania for the period of November 12, 2016 – December 13, 2016. Albanian bribery rate among highest in SEE Albania warship joins Nato operation in Aegean Sea Albanian president sets June 18 as election date Novomatic completes acquisition of Albanian National Lottery EU welcomes Venice Commission opinion on Albania’s vetting law Moody’s says Albanian's high government debt remains key challenge Key points: • Albania’s inflation speeds up in November • Albanian households spend half of their budget on food, survey shows • 10-mo trade gap widens 16.3% y/y • Passenger traffic at Tirana airport up 8% in 2016 • Lending in Albania rises 0.5% y/y in October • Albania's NPL ratio up to 21.35% at end-October • Growth of Albania’s gross external debt slows to 6.5% y/y at end Q3 • Albania’s 9-mo FDI down 3% y/y