TIRANA, ALBANIA     USAID’s Planning and Local Governance Project is assisting three municipalities in the creation of Economic Development Advisory Councils to strengthen and institutionalize private sector engagement.  In late February the Municipality of Elbasan recognized job creation and other Local Economic Development (LED) activities would benefit from a more intentional engagement with the private sector and voted to establish the Elbasan Economic Development Advisory Council (EEDAC), a structure with 11 voluntary members.  This newly-established council will enable the improvement of the business environment and streamline the opening of new businesses, strengthening the economic prospects overall.