The agreement aims to support Albanian SMEs through financing for innovation, digitalisation, technology and green investments.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Rama pledged government’s continued support for entrepreneurs and small businesses that place their trust in free enterprise.

“Small and medium-sized enterprises are our most important partners in creating jobs to support families and, of course, in creating space for young people to grow,” Rama said.

He said the agreement was intended to support a broader government programme aimed at doubling the number of SMEs in Albania.

“What makes the involvement of the European Investment Bank together with Intesa Sanpaolo important is not simply the value of the funding,” Rama said. “It is the opportunity to make the most of the experience they have built over many years in supporting member states.”

/a.f/r.e/u.sh/

Introducing the normative act on 2025 state budget review to provide 1 billion leks in funding to Murati’s Thinking Machines Lab startup, underlining that the government is seeking to adopt artificial intelligence to improve performance of economy and public administration, hailing the move as a significant step towards a more technologically and economically advanced future for the country.

The funding allocated through this normative act was sourced from proceeds from confiscated assets.

According to Finance Minister, the investment will be channeled through the Albanian Investment Corporation and aims at supporting Albania’s inclusion in a project with high development potential in technology and innovation.

Thinking Machines Lab is an artificial intelligence research and product company backed by leading global investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and eyes to be valued from 10 billion to 50 billion dollars. The company, founded by Albanian-born tech executive Mira Murati, former chief technology officer at Chat GPT developer Open AI, develops advanced AI models that integrate text, images, video and interfacing.

Finance Minister underlined that the investment represents a strategic opportunity for Albania to enhance its international profile in the area of innovation and to allow for concrete cooperation projects on knowhow transfer, pilot projects and assistance for Albanian startups.

/j.p/u.sh/