The European Union has provided funding for a new €2 million programme of advisory support for small and medium-sized enterprises in Albania, implemented by the EBRD over a three-year period. Over 120 enterprises will receive support under the programme and 25 have already benefitted from its assistance. This programme will help small and medium-sized businesses access the know-how they need to develop, become more competitive and grow by connecting them with local consultants and international advisers who can transform their businesses. This know-how, covering areas from quality management to strategy, marketing, export, human resource management, energy efficiency and beyond, serves to strengthen SMEs’ competitiveness, capacity for innovation and ability to attract investment.

The Head of the European Union Delegation to Albanian Ambassador Romana Vlahutin, speaking at the event, underlined the EU's long term assistance in promoting Albania's real economic development. "The enlargement process requires Albania to be a well-prepared country, with a strong economy and business able to compete with those of EU member states. The strengthening of SMEs through support in innovation and entrepreneurship is an investment in Albania as a future competitive EU member able to benefit from the enlarged internal market," Ambassador Vlahutin said.

Mr Arben Ahmetaj, Minister of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism and Entrepreneurship in Albania said: “We welcome this on-going commitment from the EU and the EBRD to supporting SME development in Albania. SMEs form the majority of businesses in Albania and programmes like this which focus on knowledge-transfer and competitiveness, are very relevant.”

The Director of the EBRD Small Business Support team, Mrs. Charlotte Ruhe, emphasised also the new EBRD Small Business Initiative. She said: “The EBRD is currently offering unique support to small and medium-sized enterprises, by helping them access a combined range of advisory services and finance. This programme is part of an on-going commitment from the EBRD and the EU to supporting SME development in Albania”. 

The EU is the EBRD’s largest single donor, having contributed 33 per cent of donor funding over the last five years in support of Bank activities across all countries where we work. The new SME advisory programme follows on the previous €1 million EU-funded EBRD advisory programme in 2008 and will aid small and medium-sized enterprises in Albania to tackle the internal challenges impeding their growth”.

Since the start of its operations in Albania, the EBRD has invested almost €1 billion in some 70 projects in various sectors of the country's economy.

For further information, please contact:

Dasara Dizdari-Zeneli

Information and Communication Officer

Tel: + 355 4 2228 320, + 355 42 228 479 Fax: + 355 4 230 752

E-mail: dasara.zeneli@eeas.europa.eu

Delegation's website: www.delalb.ec.europa.eu