The Minister of Finance and Economy, Ervin Mete, held an official meeting with Emanuel Salinas, the Country Manager of the World Bank for Albania.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Minister Mete expressed his gratitude for the ongoing cooperation with the World Bank and thanked Salinas for the consistent support provided by the World Bank to Albania. This support has been instrumental in the country’s pursuit of reforms aimed at European integration and economic development.

Emanuel Salinas, in turn, congratulated Mete on his new role as Minister of Finance and Economy and conveyed the World Bank’s commitment to continuing their collaboration and support for Albania.

During the meeting, the discussions revolved around the significance of the Berlin Process for the Western Balkan nations. It was noted that the “Economy Ministers’ Forum” will take place in Tirana on September 26, representing an important step within the Berlin Process. Both parties concurred on the importance of advancing the Berlin Process as an excellent opportunity to facilitate economic growth and support regional countries on their path toward European Union integration.

The World Bank has also pledged its support for projects related to trade and transportation, not only in Albania but also in other Western Balkan countries. Additionally, the World Bank will offer its assistance in the area of payment systems.

To date, the World Bank has contributed over 2.4 billion US dollars in financing to Albania, with a significant portion allocated to budget support (42.23%). The remaining funds have been invested in various sectors, including transportation (13.77%), energy (9.65%), water supply, and sanitation (7.86%), among others.

This year, the World Bank has approved the new Partnership Agreement known as the “Country Partnership Framework for Albania – CPF 2023-2027”.