In an update on First Deputy Governor Holta Zaçaj’s official visit to the Bank of Italy, the Bank of Albania said the two central banks reviewed progress on the TIPS Clone project and reaffirmed their ongoing cooperation, particularly in payment systems. The discussions focused on TIPS Clone as a strategic step to modernise Albania’s payments infrastructure and align it with European standards. The two sides exchanged information on the project’s progress and on the technical and operational issues tied to its next implementation steps. The Bank of Albania highlighted the Bank of Italy’s support through technical assistance, expertise sharing and joint projects. TIPS Clone is intended to create a national instant payments platform compatible with European standards, enabling real-time payments on a 24 hours a day 7 days a week basis for businesses and citizens. The project was described as an important pillar of the Cashless Albania initiative, with successful implementation requiring coordination as well as the necessary investments and preparations by market participants. The central banks also reaffirmed plans to deepen cooperation in payment systems and other areas of mutual interest, with continued exchanges of experience and technical expertise to support institutional modernisation and European integration.
Bank of Albania2026-06-05
Bank of Albania reviews TIPS Clone implementation with the Bank of Italy and reaffirms payments cooperation
The Bank of Albania and the Bank of Italy reviewed progress on the TIPS Clone project during First Deputy Governor Holta Zaçaj’s visit and reaffirmed cooperation in payment systems. TIPS Clone is a national instant payments platform aligned with European standards and a key pillar of the Cashless Albania initiative, requiring coordination and investment by market participants. The two central banks also committed to deepen cooperation through continued exchanges of experience and technical expertise to support institutional modernisation and European integration.