Korça’s leatherworking tradition passes from one generation to the next
Spiro Shaka, 28, is turning his family’s leatherworking tradition into a business in Korça. Raised in a family that has practised the craft for more than 20 years, he now runs a shop selling mainly leather bags, belts, wallets and a small collection of shoes. Through his business, Shaka aims …
More than 24,000 patients are served by QSUNT’s Pathological Anatomy Laboratory
TIRANA, November 13 /ATSH/ – The Pathological Anatomy Laboratory at the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” (QSUNT) has expanded its diagnostic capacity to serve approximately 24,000 patients across Albania, utilizing advanced technology and modern diagnostic methods. Minister of Health and Social Welfare Klodiana Spahiu shared footage today of the work …
Tropoja’s “Chestnut Hill”, an alpine doorway
TIRANA, November 13 /ATSH/ – Nestled among the chestnut groves of Tropoja, the “Chestnut Hill” agrotourism retreat has become one of the region’s premier destinations. Today, Prime Minister Edi Rama shared “magical” photos of the cloud-level property on social media, highlighting that its doors remain open to visitors. This agrotourism …
Card payment interchange fees will be capped at 0.2% for debit and 0.3% for credit, starting January 1
TIRANA, November 13 /ATA/ – Interchange fees for card payments will be capped at 0.2% for debit cards and 0.3% for credit cards, starting from January 1, 2027. In a statement on social media, Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj announced that this measure aims to reduce payment costs …
New e-seals system launches at Porto Romano to boost fuel transport security and enhance transparency-Malaj
TIRANA, November 13 /ATSH/ – Minister of Finance Petrit Malaj, accompanied by Director General of the Customs Besmir Beja, paid a working visit to Porto Romano to mark the launch of the e-seals system—a new mechanism for monitoring and controlling the transport of goods under customs supervision. During the visit, …
High Bank Fees Hamper Albania’s Crackdown on Cash
Albanian businesses are required by law to facilitate payments by card but complain of exorbitant bank fees. Original post Here
Changes to sponsorship law: Gonxhja says businesses can deduct up to 30% of corporate income tax
The proposed amendments to Albania’s sponsorship law aim to encourage businesses to fund sports, arts and cultural activities through tax incentives, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said today. Under the proposed scheme, businesses could deduct up to 30% of their corporate income tax through sponsorships of activities …
EU integration: Albania amends agreement with German agency GIZ
The Albanian government today approved amendments to its agreement with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), which supports the country’s EU accession negotiations. The Council of Ministers approved Amendment No. 1 to the implementation agreement between the Ministry of Economy and Innovation and GIZ. The agreement forms part of …
Helicopter crash in Turkey: Nufi offers condolences to victims’ families
Defence Minister Ermal Nufi today expressed his condolences following the deaths of four members of the Turkish Armed Forces in an S-70 helicopter crash in Malatya, Turkey. In a message posted on social media, Nufi expressed his sorrow over the tragic accident and extended his deepest sympathies to the victims’ …
European Political Community Summit: Rama shares photo alongside European leaders
Prime Minister Edi Rama today shared a photo on social media from the 9th European Political Community (EPC) Summit, showing a group of European leaders and senior representatives walking down an escalator together. At the centre of the photo, Rama appears alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. The European Political Community …
Gert Jan Koopman, the European Commission’s Director-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, discussed Kosovo’s prospects of obtaining EU candidate status. The senior EU enlargement official said he “personally believes” that the EU should begin reviewing Kosovo’s membership application, which was submitted in December 2022. “Personally, I believe it is very …
TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Students and citizens staged another protest outside the Prime Minister’s Office this afternoon, marking the 167th consecutive day of demonstrations against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. Gathered on the boulevard in front of the building, protesters renewed their call for Rama to step down. The protest is …
TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – Albanian State Police Director General Skënder Hita met senior Italian police and anti-mafia officials during an official visit to Italy, with talks focusing on strengthening joint efforts against organised crime and criminal networks operating in both countries. Hita and his delegation were received at the …
Regional development priorities, support for strategic investments and new opportunities for economic growth were at the centre of the latest meeting of the Albanian Development Fund’s Board of Directors. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu attended the meeting, alongside Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister …
Albania’s 2027 budget for the Ministry of Environment will support investment in protected areas. The main priorities include improving infrastructure, protecting biodiversity and managing natural resources more effectively. Juxhina Spahiu, Director General of the National Agency of Protected Areas, said the investments aim to strengthen environmental protection and preserve natural …
9Albania’s Director General of Archives, Auron Rrokaj, held a series of meetings with international counterparts during the Regional Branch of Europe of the International Council on Archives (EURBICA) Assembly in Bucharest, Romania. The meetings focused on strengthening international relations, exchanging professional expertise and developing joint projects in the archival field. …
Albania’s Director General of Prisons, Sadleva Bode, met British Ambassador to Albania Nicholas Abbott to discuss cooperation on prison modernisation and the transfer of Albanian prisoners serving sentences in the United Kingdom. The meeting reviewed years of cooperation between the two institutions. Particular attention focused on British support for investment, …
Albania presented its wines at ProWine Shanghai 2026 for the first time, marking an important step towards entering the Chinese and wider Asian markets. The exhibition took place from November 10 to 12 in Shanghai, China. The Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) organised the country’s first national pavilion at one …
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has called for progress in the country’s path towards EU membership, stressing that the process of obtaining candidate status and opening accession negotiations should not face further delays. On the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Dublin, Kurti met representatives of the Irish …
US Ambassador Eric Wendt continued his series of meetings after taking up his new post, this time meeting with students who took part in an exchange program in the United States. The US Embassy shared details and photos from the meeting. According to the embassy’s post, the discussion focused on …