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Program ‘Double Your Enterprise’ launches July 1 with €250 mln fund for businesses

TIRANA, June 3 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the government will launch the “Double Your Enterprise” programme on July 1. The scheme aims to support Albanian businesses through new financing opportunities. Ibrahimaj said the Bank of Albania has made €250 million available for the programme. In addition, …

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“Vlora Airport Will Be Built and Become Operational” – Karakaçi: Companies Given 30 Days to Resolve Their Dispute

The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Enena Karakaçi, stated to the media following the government meeting that the ministry has given the contracting companies responsible for the construction of Vlora International Airport a 30-day deadline to resolve their commercial dispute. Karakaçi emphasized that Vlora Airport will be completed and become operational according to …

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Rama on Zvërnec: Luxury Resorts Bring High Revenue to the Country, the Project Will Not Be Cancelled

Following the government meeting this Wednesday, Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed the media, also commenting on the construction of the resort in Zvërnec. Rama stated that resorts are among the main drivers of a country’s economic development and that he will not cancel the project. “I have to deal with people who say, …

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“Property’s Origin Is Now in SPAK’s Hands” – Rama on Zvërnec: This Will Put an End to Any Speculation That Project Is Not Based on the Law

Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke at a press conference regarding the construction project in the Zvërnec area, following the protests that have taken place there. Rama described the land purchase transaction as a positive development and stressed that anyone claiming ownership of the property will be subject to investigation. “What I want to talk …

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Albanian Book Fair Comes to North Macedonia: 55 Publishers from the Region Gather in Skopje for the First Time

Thousands of book titles, dozens of publishers, and four days dedicated to Albanian-language literature. For the first time, Skopje will host the Albanian Book Fair 2026, an event aimed at bringing together publishers and book lovers from North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania. From June 4 to June 7, Skanderbeg Square will be transformed into a hub for the …

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“Double Your Enterprise” Program Launches on July 1, Says Ibrahimaj: €250 Million Fund Available for Businesses

Following the government meeting this Wednesday, Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj announced that the “Double Your Enterprise” program will officially launch on July 1. According to Ibrahimaj, the program will provide financing to businesses at interest rates ranging from 2% to 3%, supported by a €250 million fund made available to enterprises …

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PM Rama: “The Time When People Were Threatened with Prison in the Streets Is Long Behind Us”

During his press conference with the media, Prime Minister Edi Rama was asked whether he would ever find himself in a situation where he had to choose between resignation and prison, a question raised in the context of the recent protests. Rama responded by saying that he is proud to have led …

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Albania Becomes the Second Most Expensive Country in the Balkans for Daily Rentals

The growing influx of foreign visitors to Albania, initially attracted by its affordable accommodation prices, is now contributing to rising costs, particularly in the short-term rental market. As a result, Albania has become the second most expensive country in the Balkans for daily rentals, behind only Montenegro. AirDNA, an analytics …

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Haxhiu Meets Costa: Kosovo’s Path to the EU Is a Strategic National Interest

Kosovo’s Acting President, Albulena Haxhiu, stated that the country’s path toward the European Union is a strategic national interest. She made these remarks during a meeting in Pristina with the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa. According to Haxhiu, their discussions covered a range of issues, including the EU Growth Plan for the Western …

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Albania’s Zvernec Revolt

A luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner has ignited nationwide protests now demanding the government’s resignation. Tirana Times, June 03, 2026 – A luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner has turned a local land dispute on Albania’s southern coast into a national political crisis, triggering mass protests that …

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Bank loans drive life insurance growth, while fires and natural disasters raise property payouts by 20%

TIRANA, August 25 – Albania’s insurance market maintained steady growth from January to July 2026. Insurance premium income reached ALL 15.92 billion. Meanwhile, payouts to citizens rose by more than 12% to ALL 5.41 billion. Bank lending has strongly driven growth in life insurance, making it one of the market’s …

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Albanian Football Federation seeks donors for 2 football fields for ethnic Albanians in southern Serbia’s Presheva Valley

TIRANA, August 25 – The Albanian Football Federation has launched a project to build 2 modern football fields in the Presheva Valley in southern Serbia, an area with a predominantly ethnic Albanian population. One field will be built in the Municipality of Presheva and the other in the Municipality of …

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Term Deposits in Albanian Lek Increase by 14.8% in June

TIRANA, August 25 – Term deposits in the Albanian Lek (ALL) continued their upward trend in June 2026. According to data from the Bank of Albania, they exceeded ALL 244 billion by mid-year, marking a 14.8% increase from the same period in 2025. The growth rate accelerated from the end …

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Rising number of foreign residents’ prompts expanded capacity for residence permits

TIRANA, August 25 – The number of foreigners holding residence permits in Albania reached 32,163 at the end of 2025, according to data from the Institute of Statistics. The figure increased by 46.6% from 2024. Men accounted for 65% and women for 35%, while people aged 30–39 represented the largest …

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Epidemiologist Vasili on West Nile fever: Starts like mild flu, does not spread between people

TIRANA, August 25 – Epidemiologist Adela Vasili of the Institute of Public Health said West Nile fever spreads only through infected mosquitoes and not from person to person. She discussed the main symptoms after Albania confirmed its first case in Korça. Meanwhile, Vasili said authorities have confirmed no other suspected …

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EU enlargement: Marta Kos proposes gradual integration and stronger safeguards

TIRANA, August 25 – European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has presented key elements of the European Commission’s plans to reform the European Union enlargement process. Euronews reported that the proposals include gradual integration, stricter checks on candidate countries and a new methodology. Speaking at the Croatian Ambassadors’ Conference in …

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PM Rama: New political season should focus on citizens’ concerns

TIRANA, August 25 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the new political season should bring stronger engagement with citizens and greater attention to their concerns. He spoke during a 2-day meeting in Pogradec with government ministers and Socialist Party political leaders from across Albania. Rama said the meeting focused on …

News
Foreign visitor arrivals in Albania top 7 million in seven months, nearly 2 million in July

TIRANA, August 25 – More than 7 million foreign nationals entered Albania in the first seven months of 2026, with nearly 2 million arrivals recorded in July alone. INSTAT reported 1,955,099 foreign arrivals in July, up 7.1% from 1,825,490 a year earlier. From January through July, Albania recorded 7,014,168 entries …

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Travelweek highlights Tirana’s transformation into a modern capital

TIRANA, August 25 – Canadian travel media Travelweek has published an article by Tim Johnson on Tirana’s rapid transformation. The report describes the capital as a modern and dynamic city that is attracting growing international tourism. Johnson highlights the changes around Skanderbeg Square. Modern buildings, public spaces, restaurants and renovated …

News
Ageing vehicle fleet raises pollution risks in Albania, World Bank says

TIRANA, August 25 – Albania faces growing pollution and road-safety risks from its ageing vehicle fleet, according to the World Bank. The country’s motorization rate has increased by 122% over the past 10 years. Of the vehicles registered in Albania, 91% are more than 10 years old. The rest have …

News

Bank loans drive life insurance growth, while fires and natural disasters raise property payouts by 20%

TIRANA, August 25 – Albania’s insurance market maintained steady growth from January to July 2026. Insurance premium income reached ALL 15.92 billion. Meanwhile, payouts to citizens rose by more than 12% to ALL 5.41 billion. Bank lending has strongly driven growth in life insurance, making it one of the market’s …

News

Albanian Football Federation seeks donors for 2 football fields for ethnic Albanians in southern Serbia’s Presheva Valley

TIRANA, August 25 – The Albanian Football Federation has launched a project to build 2 modern football fields in the Presheva Valley in southern Serbia, an area with a predominantly ethnic Albanian population. One field will be built in the Municipality of Presheva and the other in the Municipality of …

News

Term Deposits in Albanian Lek Increase by 14.8% in June

TIRANA, August 25 – Term deposits in the Albanian Lek (ALL) continued their upward trend in June 2026. According to data from the Bank of Albania, they exceeded ALL 244 billion by mid-year, marking a 14.8% increase from the same period in 2025. The growth rate accelerated from the end …

News

Rising number of foreign residents’ prompts expanded capacity for residence permits

TIRANA, August 25 – The number of foreigners holding residence permits in Albania reached 32,163 at the end of 2025, according to data from the Institute of Statistics. The figure increased by 46.6% from 2024. Men accounted for 65% and women for 35%, while people aged 30–39 represented the largest …

News

Epidemiologist Vasili on West Nile fever: Starts like mild flu, does not spread between people

TIRANA, August 25 – Epidemiologist Adela Vasili of the Institute of Public Health said West Nile fever spreads only through infected mosquitoes and not from person to person. She discussed the main symptoms after Albania confirmed its first case in Korça. Meanwhile, Vasili said authorities have confirmed no other suspected …

News

EU enlargement: Marta Kos proposes gradual integration and stronger safeguards

TIRANA, August 25 – European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has presented key elements of the European Commission’s plans to reform the European Union enlargement process. Euronews reported that the proposals include gradual integration, stricter checks on candidate countries and a new methodology. Speaking at the Croatian Ambassadors’ Conference in …

News

PM Rama: New political season should focus on citizens’ concerns

TIRANA, August 25 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the new political season should bring stronger engagement with citizens and greater attention to their concerns. He spoke during a 2-day meeting in Pogradec with government ministers and Socialist Party political leaders from across Albania. Rama said the meeting focused on …

News

Foreign visitor arrivals in Albania top 7 million in seven months, nearly 2 million in July

TIRANA, August 25 – More than 7 million foreign nationals entered Albania in the first seven months of 2026, with nearly 2 million arrivals recorded in July alone. INSTAT reported 1,955,099 foreign arrivals in July, up 7.1% from 1,825,490 a year earlier. From January through July, Albania recorded 7,014,168 entries …

News

Travelweek highlights Tirana’s transformation into a modern capital

TIRANA, August 25 – Canadian travel media Travelweek has published an article by Tim Johnson on Tirana’s rapid transformation. The report describes the capital as a modern and dynamic city that is attracting growing international tourism. Johnson highlights the changes around Skanderbeg Square. Modern buildings, public spaces, restaurants and renovated …

News

Ageing vehicle fleet raises pollution risks in Albania, World Bank says

TIRANA, August 25 – Albania faces growing pollution and road-safety risks from its ageing vehicle fleet, according to the World Bank. The country’s motorization rate has increased by 122% over the past 10 years. Of the vehicles registered in Albania, 91% are more than 10 years old. The rest have …