TIRANA, May 30/ATA/ Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation Blendi Gonxhja participated today in the ACT NOW 2025 summit, a platform that promotes real innovation, cross-sectoral cooperation and regional impact in several strategic areas, organized by the Albanian Council for Technology and Innovation – ACTI.
Gonxhja emphasized in his speech that, “In the last decade, we have seen an extraordinary transformation. Thanks to the passion and commitment of local and international actors, thanks to the support of the developing digital infrastructure, and thanks to the strategic vision of the Albanian government, this desert has been transformed into a vibrant hearth of innovation, where today there is spoken the universal language of the future”.
“Now, our ecosystem is experiencing a new era. Albania has become a regional innovation hub, offering a unique combination of human potential, low operational costs, and a young and vibrant community, eager to explore and develop innovative ideas”, said Gonxhja.
Minister Gonxhja stated that, “Only a few years have passed since the pandemic transformed the digital sector, creating extraordinary remote work opportunities. In such a short time, Albania has managed to adapt quickly, as demonstrated by the multiplication of the number of digital nomads in the country”.
Gonxhja said that, “Our effort to attract digital nomads is part of a broader vision to foster innovation in all areas of the Albanian economy. We recall here that innovation in the economies of the European Union accounts for about 50% of economic growth. We are proud that Albania is now home to two European Digital Innovation Hubs and soon to a Technology Transfer Office. These centers help SMEs embrace digital transformation, integrating artificial intelligence and cybersecurity into their activities.”
Also, Gonxhja continued, the presence in Tirana of prestigious institutions such as Plug & Play, Tumo Center and École 42 at the Piramida, another symbol of the radical transformation the country is undergoing, has significantly strengthened the Albanian innovation ecosystem, offering specialized education and professional networks that enhance digital skills and sustainability in the global economy.
“There has never been a more opportune moment to further develop innovation in Albania. In close collaboration with local stakeholders and international partners, we have identified the main pillars that place Albania strongly on the global innovation map. ACT NOW 2025 is a testament to this momentum — a platform that brings together technology leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators from Albania, the region and the world, to foster collaboration and accelerate our technological progress. Albania has everything it needs to successfully advance in the field of innovation: human potential, an increasingly modern support infrastructure, a geographical position that naturally connects it to European markets, as well as an extraordinary cultural and historical wealth, which inspires and attracts international talent”, Gonxhja underlined.
Further on, Gonxhja presented the new initiative Albania Future Now, which, according to him, will help in the international promotion of our innovation ecosystem./k.s/a.f/p.s./
