The visit by the 6 delegates of the Islamic Bank, accompanied by Mr. Sabahudin Çaku, Director of the Europe Department, was intended to focus on the Islamic Bank’s assistance to Albania through investments and economic projects. On Monday, the President of the Republic, Mr. Sali Berisha, received yesterday in his office the delegation of the Islamic Development Bank, led by Mr. Saleh Kamel. During this cordial meeting, President Berisha informed his guests from the Islamic Bank about the latest developments in Albania, political stability, and the economic policy being pursued by the Albanian government. The President highly praised the interest and readiness of the Islamic Bank to help Albania during this difficult period of transition and stressed that Albania is open to serious investment and economic cooperation. The Islamic Bank delegation expressed its satisfaction with the meeting and its interest in supporting concrete development projects in our country.

The joint Italo-Albanian bank has been created

A historic event for the Albanian economy Yesterday in his office in the hall of the Prime Ministry in Tirana, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Mr. Genc Ruli, received the administrative council of the Italo-Albanian bank together with its president, Mr. Alex Vezza.[?] For his part, Minister Ruli described the creation of such a bank as important for our country, because according to him it will help develop business, investments, and direct economic ties between Albania and Italy. He stressed that this bank is an important link in the process of Albania’s integration into the European economy. Minister Ruli expressed his conviction that the Albanian banking system will be strengthened and will benefit from Italian experience.

“ALBANIA HAS GREAT POTENTIAL AND WE ARE HERE TO HELP IN DISCOVERING AND EXPRESSING THIS POTENTIAL” One of the most important hopes for the future of the Albanian economy is the creation of a normal banking network, which will connect savings with investments and give economic development a more solid foundation. This is why the creation of the Italo-Albanian bank has been received with interest. The President of Banco di Roma, Mr. Pellegrino Capaldo, said that Albania has great potential and that their aim is to help discover and express this potential. He pointed out that the entry of capital, experience, and banking technology will have a positive impact on the development of the Albanian economy. In this context, he underlined the need for close cooperation with the Albanian authorities and with private enterprise.

ILIR HOTI, GOVERNOR OF THE BANK OF ALBANIA: The first meeting with the Italian representatives took place at the Bank of Albania. Ilir Hoti, Governor of the Bank of Albania, described this act as an important step in the process of economic reforms. According to him, the agreement to create the joint Italo-Albanian bank is a positive signal for financial markets and for foreign partners, because it increases the country’s economic-political credibility. He added that the new bank will help not only the circulation of capital, but also the raising of professional standards in the Albanian banking system.

Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi received yesterday the delegation led by the President of the Islamic Development Bank, Dr. Ahmer Mohamed Ali. During the meeting, the possibilities of expanding economic cooperation and the involvement of the Islamic Bank in various development projects in Albania were discussed. The interlocutors addressed the possibility of financing infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and other sectors important to the Albanian economy. Prime Minister Meksi praised the bank’s interest and stressed the importance of speeding up procedures for the implementation of concrete projects.

ISLAMIC