Wage hikes in private sector outpacing public increases as Albania’s businesses struggle with retention
TIRANA, March 20, 2023 – Albania’s private sector salaries are increasing and doing so at a higher rate than public sector ones, as businesses struggle to retain workers competing with migration and the domestic labor market. However, public sector wages continue to be, on average, higher, according to the latest …
Op/Ed: Balkan awakening – Strengthening ties between Israel and Albania
By Ohad Shpak* The upcoming Israel-Albania Tech Conference to be held in March 2023 aims to strengthen commercial ties between the two countries, following recent developments in the bilateral relations. Muslim-majority Republic of Albania and the Jewish State of Israel have maintained diplomatic relations since 1991, shortly after Albania emerged from …
Albanians get visa-free access to UAE, part of larger expansion into Asia
TIRANA, March 23, 2023 – Starting on April 20, citizens of Albania will be able to travel visa-free to the United Arab Emirates, home of renowned cities and major airports, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the Albanian government has announced. UAE citizens are also able to travel to Albania without …
Albanian PM visit to London focuses on migration woes
TIRANA, March 23, 2023 – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama visited London on Thursday in the first ever official visit of an Albanian head of government to 10 Downing Street, but the visit was marred by taking place with the backdrop of the controversy that has been going on for …
As number of young workers declines, over 65s working at higher rates
TIRANA, March, 25, 2023 – While Albania’s employment indicators have improved year over year, since 2020, the number of employed people is decreasing in the younger population groups, while it is increasing among the elderly. In the fourth quarter of 2022, there were about 52,500 more people employed than in …
Albania’s central bank raises key rate by 0.25%
TIRANA, March 23, 2023 – Albania’s central bank has raised its key interest rate by another quarter of a percentage point in its attempt to fight inflation, the Bank of Albania governor announced in a press conference. The decision of the bank board brings the rate to 3 percent, directly …
In Tirana visit, Kosovo PM discusses contentious deal with Serbia
TIRANA, March 27, 2023 – Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti visited Tirana over the weekend, holding discussions with Albania’s top leaders and focusing on his country’s ongoing dialogue with Serbia, which has been high on the agenda in recent months. Earlier this year, agreements to normalize relations between Kosovo and …
In widely-condemned violent attack on media, shots fired at key Albanian TV channel headquarters, killing guard
TIRANA, March 27, 2023 – In what the media and authorities are calling “a terrorist act,” unidentified gunmen used automatic weapons to shoot at the headquarters of one of Albania’s largest private television stations, Top Channel, shortly after midnight on Monday, killing a security guard on duty. The attack on …
Red and Blacks look for fresh start as Albania plays Poland for Euro 2024 qualifier
TIRANA, March 27, 2023 – Albania will begin their quest for a spot in the 2024 European Championship against Poland in Warsaw on Monday, hoping to break their seven-game losing streak against the hosts. The Red and Blacks will have their first match under Brazilian coach Sylvinho, who aims to …
Albania’s Mild Punishments for Electoral Crimes Undermine its Democracy
The few and minimal sentences handed down by the justice system for electoral corruption do little to discourage such violations, according to experts – and undermine the path towards democracy. Original post Here
Albania hosts MONEYVAL mission, Deputy PM Koçiu highlights progress in anti-money laundering efforts
TIRANA, April 28 – Albania has welcomed the MONEYVAL assessment mission, which focuses on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing efforts. The FATF (Financial Action Task Force) removed Albania from its grey list in 2023. Authorities present this decision, along with improving financial indicators, as evidence of progress, saying it strengthens …
TIRANA, April 28 – Egnatia has become the third team to mathematically secure a place in the Final 4 of the “Abissnet Superiore” championship. Three rounds remain in the regular season. Despite losing its last match against Vora, Egnatia remains nine points ahead of Dinamo City and Partizani. The team …
Prime Minister Edi Rama promotes the agrotourism site “Huqi” in Radë, Durrës. He presents it as a successful example of a fast-growing sector in Albania. He says agrotourism investments attract more interest every year. He notes that people with strong rural ties join the sector. He also points out that …
TIRANA, April 28 – The Adriatic coast has welcomed a new health initiative, “La Nave della Salute” [The Health Ship], launched by the One Health Foundation. The programme aims to bring prevention and healthcare services closer to citizens. Minister of Health and Social Welfare Evis Sala highlighted the importance of …
TIRANA, April 28 – A nationwide environmental campaign has started in coastal municipalities as part of preparations for the tourist season. In Lezha, municipal structures are carrying out works at Tale Beach. The sandy coastline stretches around 7 kilometres. Its width ranges from 100 to 150 metres. Prime Minister Edi …
TIRANA, April 28 – On 28 April 1912, in Boston, Albanian diaspora leaders founded the Pan-Albanian Federation of America “Vatra” (the Hearth). Fan Noli, Faik Konica and other patriots led the initiative. They united several Albanian associations into one federation. The first meeting took place on 24 December 1911. The …
The Bank of Albania opened the traveling exhibition “Money Tells the Story: 100 Years of Life and Events, Bank of Albania” in Gjirokastër. The exhibition presents the history of the central bank and the Albanian currency. It showcases numismatic and museum objects, archival documents, photographs, film materials, and explanatory content. …
TIRANA, April 28 – With the arrival of summer, the 1 May long weekend marks one of the first opportunities to travel for a few days away from home. eDreams analysed bookings made during the past month and tracked travel trends among Italian travellers and foreign visitors to Italy. This …
TIRANA, April 28 – The expanded section of the Tirana–Durrës motorway up to the Rinas (TIA) overpass has fully opened to vehicle traffic. Prime Minister Edi Rama, together with Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi, inspected the road section, which has now been upgraded to a Category A motorway. …
Albanian Special Forces conduct intensive training with U.S. Special Forces instructors at the Zall-Herr Special Forces Regiment. The exercise focuses on movement and reconnaissance in complex environments. The U.S. Embassy in Tirana announces the training. It says the program improves field operations and stealth movement. It also strengthens the unit’s …