Economy & Finance
The big picture

IMF warns over strong lek and real estate credit risks in Albania
The International Monetary Fund has flagged the overvaluation of the Albanian Lek as a growing risk to the country’s economic development and to investor confidence. In its latest review, the...

February sees 30% jump in hotel visitors, with strong growth in foreign tourism
Albania recorded a notable increase in both the number of hotel visitors and overnight stays in February 2025, compared to the same month a year earlier, according to the country’s...

Non-performing loans in Albania drop to historic low of 4%
Non-performing loans (NPLs) in Albania’s banking sector have hit their lowest level in two decades. According to new data from the Bank of Albania, the NPL rate fell to 4.06%...

Albania and Italy launch joint naval defense venture at Port of Durrës
State-owned Albanian defense company KAYO and Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri have signed an agreement to create a joint venture focused on naval military production. The deal was formalized at the...

Record high remittances from Albanian emigrants in 2024
Albanian emigrants continued to play a significant role in supporting their families and the country’s economy in 2024. According to data from the Bank of Albania, remittances reached a record-breaking...

Italian businesses in Albania complain about labor shortages and currency losses
Italian businesses operating in Albania are raising concerns about a lack of skilled workers and the depreciation of foreign currencies, particularly the euro. At a recent Confindustria Albania conference, companies...