TIRANA, July 6 (Monday) – Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Monday that the “Start Up Albania” programme has received more than 1,200 applications during the presentation of the National Programme for Preparing Businesses for EU integration in Tirana. He noted that applications previously stood below 100 in earlier phases and now exceed 1,200 this year. The government has doubled funding for the programme.
Rama linked this growth to broader reforms and stressed that Albania must align business standards with the European Union market. In addition, he announced a national industrial strategy and a national export strategy aimed at boosting competitiveness and internationalisation of Albanian companies.
Meanwhile, the government will launch a national support platform for around 48,000 enterprises. The platform will connect businesses with experts and consultants. UNDP will provide technical expertise to strengthen implementation and improve access to guidance.
Furthermore, Rama confirmed expanded sector-based training programmes and stronger EU-standard certification and standardisation to improve competitiveness. He also introduced the “Double Your Business” programme, backed by a sovereign guarantee and financing tools through the Bank of Albania and second-tier banks. The scheme aims to support expansion and improve access to credit for businesses.
/a.p./
The post PM Rama: Over 1,200 Start Up Albania applications as SME support and EU standards expand appeared first on RTSH English.
