TIRANA, May 13 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said small and medium-sized enterprises form a key pillar of the Albanian economy. He made the statement at the signing ceremony for the partnership between the state, the banking system, and businesses under the “Double Your Entrepreneurship” programme.
He said SMEs account for the largest share of production, services, and economic activity. He added that they also represent the main source of employment and social stability. In Albania, he noted, SMEs employ 82% of the workforce, compared with 65% in the EU.
Against this backdrop, Malaj said the government aims to expand access to finance for SMEs through the new programme. He said the focus includes underfinanced sectors, as well as investment in technology, digitalisation, and energy efficiency.
Meanwhile, he announced a 250-million-euro credit line through the banking system. He said it will carry interest rates below current market levels. The package also includes a 30-million-euro sovereign guarantee. He added that the guarantee will expand further and extend to the agricultural sector.
In addition, he said the government will provide grants to support the preparation of business plans and investment projects submitted to banks. He said these measures will strengthen competitiveness, technological capacity, and human capital in SMEs. He also said they will support faster economic growth and convergence with EU standards.
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