In Focus
The big picture
2025 Elections: Socialists and Democrats engage in unequal battle for grey electorate
As Albania gears up for the 2025 spring elections, the traditional rivals that have dominated Albania’s political scene for much of the past three decades, Edi Rama’s Socialist Party and Sali Berisha’s Democratic...
Albania’s GDP doubled over the past decade
Albania’s economy has seen significant growth over the past decade, with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) doubling from $12.7 billion to $25.4 billion. Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at the...
Serbian protests and Western criticism in response to closure of Serbia-run ‘parallel institutions’ in Kosovo
Raids by Kosovo’s Police on Friday led to the closure of the parallel municipalities run by Serbia in North Mitrovica, Zubin Potok, Leposavic and Zvecan, and the parallel offices of the...
Economic Sentiment Indicator rises again in August
The economic sentiment indicator in Albania continued its upward trajectory in August, marking a positive trend in the country’s economic outlook. According to the Bank of Albania, the indicator increased...
Road infrastructure projects account for 37% of Albania’s capital expenditure
The Albanian Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy’s budget report for the first four months of 2024 highlights a significant focus on road infrastructure projects, which account for 37% of its...
Albania’s Strategic Partnership with the EBRD: 986 million worth of loans and grants
Albania has significantly benefited from its long-standing relationship with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which has provided substantial financial support for the country’s development initiatives. As a...
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Albania’s integration into SEPA: a new era for euro transactions
Published on July 30, 2024
Albania is on the brink of a significant financial transformation as it prepares to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). This integration promises to...
What is this all about
The integration into SEPA is a pivotal development for Albania’s economy. It simplifies cross-border transactions, reduces associated costs, and improves the speed and security of payments. This change is not only beneficial for the financial sector but also for the broader economy, facilitating smoother international trade and investment. For Albanian citizens and businesses, this means greater financial inclusion and the ability to compete more effectively on the European stage.