Albanian IT market shows slight growth

 Albanian IT market is expected to grow by 2.5% in 2012 and reach $212m (€171m) in 2016, according to a market researcher IDC. In 2011 the sector increased by 5.5% y/y and it was driven by two factors: government’s investment and by telecom sector, it says.

Per-capita IT spending stood at $60 in 2011, which was below the Adriatic regional average of $146.

“After a significant decrease in 2009 and 2010, IT spending in Albania rose only moderately lat year. Spending by the finance and ‘other real’ sector also increased, but slightly below the market average, while household IT consumption stagnated” explains Managing Director Boris Zitnik, IDC Adriatics.

In 2011 the IT services and software exceeded the overall market average and most of the technology segments expanded, as well. Also networking equipment sales grew significantly, driven by investments by a new mobile operator, it says.

“Modest GDP growth is predicted for 2012, as a result of the recession in the eurozone and presidential elections scheduled for July 2012. This could restrain IT spending in the country, although IDC expects ‘traditional’ IT areas – such as services, software, computers and hardcopy peripherals – to grow, while mobile phone and networking equipment deliveries should decline” adds Zitnik.