The Western Balkans has always been a region closely linked to the fate of Europe and global developments. After decades of efforts to overcome the legacy of conflicts and to integrate into European structures, the engine of economic convergence that has...
Foreign trade data for the period 2022–2025 do not show an economy in crisis, but rather an economy confronting the limits of its development model. This is a very important distinction.According to our in depth study, the year...
In 2025, the Albanian economy continues to exhibit a well-known paradox: positive economic growth, but based mainly on domestic consumption, imports and services, while the production and export base remains narrow. This model has worked so far, but signs of...
Yesterday’s plenary session concluded the formal process of approving the 2026 Budget, with the governing majority securing the necessary votes without difficulty and without engaging in a meaningful debate on the structural issues the budget entails.The total value of the...
Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) have been a driving force for the economic development of Albania and Kosovo over the past two decades, reflecting shared challenges of the post-communist transition, such as the lack of domestic savings and the need for...
A typical day at the foreign exchange offices in downtown Tirana on 28 October 2025 reveals more than any statistical report. While the official euro exchange rate stands at around 96.8 lek, several currency exchange offices in the physical market...
The Strengthening of the Albanian Lek in Recent Years, mainly driven by high foreign currency inflows through tourism, remittances, real estate transactions, and capital movements, has been widely interpreted as a sign of macroeconomic stability and confidence in the Albanian...
Albania holds a potentially competitive position compared to its neighbors in several areas, yet it still faces numerous challenges that must be addressed to enhance its competitiveness at the regional and international levels. Despite efforts to improve its economic and political...
In a world constantly oscillating between globalization and protectionist policies, the year 2025 marked a significant turning point in trade relations between Albania and the United States of America. In April of this year, the Trump administration, during its second...
Raising the minimum wage is a complex decision that must consider the balance between workers' welfare and businesses' capacity to bear it. If the minimum wage increases without being based on productivity or economic growth, it may cause issues such...
