TIRANA, October 6 /ATA/ Ledia Bregu, director of the Department of Payment Systems and Accounting and Finance, spoke in an interview with the media about the reduction of the use of cash in the economy and the measures taken by the Bank of Albania to promote financial inclusion and the use of electronic payments.
“Thanks to the reforms and initiatives of the Bank of Albania, today about 78% of the adult population owns a bank account”, said Bregu.
“The digitization of payments has a very big impact on economic growth and market development. As a matter of fact, there is a high level of cash, but much has been done to increase electronic payments, digitization and financial education of the population”, she emphasized.
“Through the strategy of small payments and financial education, it is intended to acquaint citizens with the formal channels so that they have access to accounts and financial services.
In 2017, there were 4 out of 10 people who had a bank account, the lowest level in the region, today Albania is at the level of 78% of the adult population who have a bank account.
Studies show that 1.6% of the GDP is the cost of cash management, so the aim is to use electronic money”, said Bregu.
Bregu also stopped at the most recent initiative of the Central Bank, for opening a bank account at no cost for some categories (pensioners, the people in need, etc.).
She appealed for the use of digital channels because they cost less in Lek and time.
According to her, a major project with great benefits will be Albania’s membership in the Single Euro Payments Area- SEPA.
“From this membership, financial transactions with the countries of the European market will become simpler, faster and at a lower cost”, she emphasized.
On June 12 of the current year, the Bank of Albania sent to the European Payments Council Albania’s official application for inclusion in the geographical area of the SEPA schemes. /p.s./
