TIRANA, Oct 22 /ATA/ – Albania’s construction sector accounts for the largest share of corporate borrowing, with 41% of companies in the industry holding active bank loans, the Bank of Albania bank said on Wednesday.
According to a biannual survey by the Central Bank, the construction sector is followed closely by trade, where 40% of firms report outstanding loans. In the services sector, just 24% of companies are currently indebted.
The central bank said construction firms remain highly dependent on bank financing to support fast-paced investment activity and rising operational costs.
Nationally, 33% of all surveyed companies reported active loans – down three percentage points from the previous survey and four points lower year-on-year.
Among companies that took out loans in the first half of 2025, 56% used the funds for long-term investments, while 30% allocated them to cover operational expenses.
The survey included responses from 1,366 companies across Albania. It showed that 92% of businesses were profitable in the period, with larger firms posting the strongest performance. Most companies also reported sales growth and expressed optimism about future prospects.
However, 46% of firms said they do not plan to take on new loans for the remainder of the year, a five-point increase from the previous survey. Despite improved access to credit, most businesses still view their banking relationships as essential.
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