The topic of digitization, administration performance and the impact on corruption is presented through value-added discussions

In today’s meeting with prominent members of civil society and academic life of the country, as well as economic life and civil expertise, with the absence of members of the government and embassies attached to Tirana, ALTAX presented within the “Week of Integrity”, as an organization accepted and associated with the UNCAC study on “Digitalization, performance evaluation of central and local administration, salary increase and the relationship with corruption”

In the speech held by the drafters of the policy document, such facts related to the answer to the question of how much and how is the connection between digitalization and the fight against corruption were emphasized, considering the lack of a deep reform of the public administration and the increase of their salaries without previously having a pay-for-performance scheme. All this in an analytical perspective should be performed based on performance, which is based on meritocracy and other accompanying elements, but also on the impact that the pronounced lack of meritocracy has in favor of political patronage of the administration.

From Mr. Xhepa, President of UET and with an active academic life, emphasized the fact that ALTAX studies show us some carefully analyzed facts about a very critical and complex topic such as human resources management. Digitization as a very necessary instrument should not be seen as the end of the process, but as an approach that is worth the complex and multidimensional process of reforming the administration both as a mindset and as a need for change.

From Mr. Prençe, Chairman of the exporters’ association, who appreciated that e-government is important for the private sector, but be careful with the costs and the way the services offered do not create opportunities to advertise incomplete services and delays for services that are required.

Ms. Hoxha, Director of the “Partners Albania” organization, emphasized that the importance of digitization needs to be done with care and not turn into a substitute and indisputable authority in decisions based on artificial intelligence. Overemphasis only on digitization without other accompanying measures may not necessarily affect the fight against corruption, but may turn into a boomerang or instrument to commit corruption.

Mr. Malaj, representative of digital technology developers mentioned the fact that all the emphasis on digitization is also related to the conditions of doing business as well as the creation of an encouraging environment to enable digitization to be as valuable as possible for the Albanian market. If the conditions and economic environment are not the right one there is no need to rush and do it necessarily, as costs and profitability should dictate the process.

On the part of ALTAX, an alternative and potentially more cost-effective solution that is suggested based on the good experiences of several partner countries with Albania includes the implementation of the payment of salaries depending on performance and not in a uniform manner and without deeply analyzing the issues of used and new.

The meeting was also followed by online followers, who expressed positive considerations for the topic presented and the dedicated analyzes made by ALTAX experts.