TIRANA, April 14 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said Albania stands at an important stage of economic growth during the Fourth Diaspora Summit in Tirana. She also said the country still holds significant untapped potential.
At a panel on “Diaspora, partner in business and innovation”, she said rising investment has supported economic expansion. In addition, she underlined the role of diaspora contributions in sustaining that growth.
She also said a structured work plan should deliver more concrete results at the next summit. This approach, she added, aims to improve outcomes compared with previous years.
Ibrahimaj then pointed to innovation and startups as a key policy area. She said diaspora participation started from zero in earlier calls. Later, she noted gradual growth in applications.
In the second call, five diaspora startups applied. The following year, applications rose to 35 from the diaspora and the region. This year, the figure reached 70 applicants, she said.
Although the numbers remain modest, she described the trend as significant and steadily rising. She linked this increase to growing engagement with Albania’s innovation ecosystem.
She also said the government created a dedicated innovation fund for the diaspora. The fund aims to attract capital and expertise. It also supports international expansion of Albanian businesses.
Turning to tourism, she said the sector has grown rapidly in recent years. She linked this growth to policy reforms and a more supportive investment environment.
She also identified energy as a priority sector for future investment. She said Albania seeks foreign and diaspora investment in renewable and green energy projects.
The panel, organised under the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, focused on diaspora potential. It highlighted economic development, knowledge transfer, and innovation as key areas of cooperation.
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