Discussions focused on Albania’s energy sector progress and 2026 targets, emphasizing a pivotal year for development and market integration.

The parties also exchanged views on issues of energy efficiency and the improvement of energy performance in buildings.

Minister Karakaçi praised the Energy Community Secretariat’s partnership, welcoming their positive review of Albania’s energy sector and environmental efforts. /r.e/p.s./

According to her, this four-year program empowers businesses to navigate EU standards, compete effectively and thrive amid changing market demands.

“The report findings highlight critical systemic barriers, including a lack of standards awareness, pressing certification needs, constrained export capacities and a deficiency in structured business support”, said Ibrahimaj.

In this context, the minister highlighted a government focus on tangible support for EU compliance, boosted export capacity, and targeted investments in skills, technology, and business financing.

Ibrahimaj emphasized that this marks the beginning of a long-term endeavor requiring close partnership with the private sector to render integration into tangible economic development. /gj.m/j.p/r.e/p.s./

According to official data from the State Labor and Social Services Inspectorate, 445 administrative measures were imposed following the inspection of 667 entities nationwide.

The fight against informality is yielding strong results in 2025, with 98% of identified informal workers formalized and 2,538 new individuals added to the social security scheme.

Also as a result, insurance contribution revenues have increased by about 28.3 million lekë monthly, directly reflecting the impact of these measures. /a.f/p.s./

General Directorate of Road Transport Services said today that if compared to 2023, there was a 27% increase in the registered vehicles.

According to the directorate, 80,739 of them are cars, which constitute 81.6% of the total registered vehicles.

Meanwhile, the compulsory motor insurance market has also had a positive trend. During January-September 2025, there was reflected a steady increase in both the value of gross written premiums and the number of insurance contracts. /j.p/p.s./

After completing medical tests, the 25-year-old footballer from Costa Rica has signed the contract and has officially become member of the white and blues team of the capital.

Cortes Alfaro immediately joined the team on the training ground under the orders of coach Nuhiu, making himself available to the technical staff for the upcoming challenges.

His approach comes as part of the team’s reorganization at a delicate moment of the season.

This transfer marks another step in a very active transfer market for Tirana, which a few days ago formalized nine players leaving the team. The club said that Dembele, Junior, Valerianos, Soler, Gjumsi, Tola, Kozi, Patsatsia and Fernandez are no longer members of the team by mutual agreement between the parties.

This reform comes after Tirana team holds the last position in the standings of the Superior Division and is in serious risk of relegation. During this season, KF Tirana has changed three coaches, while in the winter transfer there are expected other approaches in all departments, under the leadership of sports director Omer Bunjaku, with the aim of reversing the situation and ensuring survival. /gj.m/r.e/a.f/p.s./

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla stated that this market represents a missing link and a necessary step to connect local production with the consumer, under appropriate trading conditions.

According to the minister, this market is a guarantee for “Made in Albania” products, especially in the threshold of Christmas and New Year holidays, through offering concrete support to local farmers and producers.

He emphasized that the initiative sends a crystal clear signal that with more organization, mechanization and institutional support, Albanian production can grow and compete worthily in European markets.

Farmer Xhavai Avdia, engaged in raising turkeys, stated that the livestock market is a great help for farmers because it provides appropriate trading conditions and standards.

For his part, Ilir Sula, a producer of olive oil and medicinal herbs, highlighted the significance of the market for both domestic trade and the promotion of exports.

He stressed that Albanian products are preferred in foreign markets.

“Two years ago we were exporting to Italy, while today we are exporting to North Macedonia. If we get mechanized further, we can compete in international markets,” said Sula, positively assessing the impact of the new market for development of the agricultural sector. /e.xh/j.p/p.s./

During the meeting, there were also presented the findings of the 2015–2025 survey on the investment climate with a focus on interaction with the tax administration and the challenges of entering the common market, as well as suggestions on the Council’s working plan for 2026.

The minister expressed the maximum commitment of the ministry she heads to complete the tasks, especially the process of approximating legislation with that of the EU in the field of economy and business support.

“There are criteria, standards, requirements that will have to be implemented by Albanian business, the Albanian economy, and this represents a great challenge for all of you, all of us. But it also represents a great opportunity,” said Ibrahimaj.

The minister highlighted several issues during the meeting, such as the significance of unifying and modernizing local services and the need for high transparency, establishing measurable indicators and sustainable central and local coordination.

She also focused on the commitment to improve the fiscal environment and business confidence.

Meanwhile, Minister Ibrahimaj highlighted as a priority the digitalization of local services; strengthening the tax administration; supporting SMEs in the European transition process and adopting the recommendations of the Investment Council as a work basis for 2026.

The ministry also spoke about several initiatives undertaken by the ministry in terms of formalization, more systematic information and reaffirmed the commitment to continue reforms that increase transparency, reduce costs for businesses and promote a more modern, more competitive and aligned investment climate with European Union standards.

On his part, Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo appreciated that the digitalization of services by municipalities will bring an improvement in their services for entrepreneurship and citizens, although it is a process that takes time.

Attending the meeting, there were representatives of central and local institutions, representatives of domestic and foreign businesses that develop their economic activity in our country.

/m.m/j.p/p.s./

The survey was conducted with representatives of 230 construction companies and real estate agencies, representing about 75-80% of the market.

This survey revealed 1959 properties sold in the first 6-month period compared to 863 in the previous six-month period. About 58% of properties were purchased by mortgage, while 15% of apartments were purchased by non-resident citizens, of whom 71% were from the EU countries.

Meanwhile, the general situation indicator reached +6%, showing significant optimism compared to the long-term average of -14%. For entities that reported sales, the net balance was +21%.

The average sale time increased to 11.6 months, while in Tirana it reached 11.1 months, compared to 7.1 months six months ago. In coastal areas, the sale time decreased to 8.7 months.

As for the prices, according to Fisher price index, housing prices increased by 14.6% compared to the previous six months and 41.7% compared to last year, while prices in Tirana increased by 32.6% compared to last year.

Agents predict price increases and a stable level of registered properties for the next six months, reflecting their optimism for the market performance across the country, the BoA survey highlighted. /e.xh/j.p/r.e/p.s./

From financiers to manual workers, the demand for labor is increasing, while the main challenge remains the lack of workers willing to accept the offer.

In the first two weeks of October alone, according to data provided from the National Labor and Skills Agency, there have been registered 1,143 new jobs.

According to the agency statistics, there are currently opened 230 positions for professionals, with the most sought-after being financiers, economists, lawyers, engineers and technical specialists in various fields. This trend reflects the growing need of businesses for qualified staff, in order to expand their activity and improve the service standards.

While in the manufacturing, construction and logistics sectors, there prevails the demand for manual workers, with 231 vacancies announced in early October alone, making this one of the most sought-after categories in the market.

Meanwhile, even though the summer season has ended, there is still demand for service staff in coastal areas, with 18 vacancies for waiters announced for the period in question, as well as other positions such as cooks, cleaners and support staff. /a.f//r.e/p.s./

Thus, in the first quarter of 2025, there are better indicators reflecting economic growth and the positive effects of active employment and vocational training policies.

Referring to the Labor Force Survey by the Institute of Statistics INSTAT, Gonxhja emphasized in a post in the social media that the employment rate for the age group 15–64 reached 69.5%, with an increase of +1.2 per cent, compared to Q1 2024.

The minister also added that the unemployment rate for the age group 15+ dropped to 8.7%, with a decrease of -0.1 per cent, compared to Q1 2024.

Gonxhja underlined that these results make Albania comparable to the countries of the European Union, resulting in more positive results than Greece and Spain. /gj.m/a.f/p.s./