Bank of Albania links Corridor VIII development to macroeconomic stability and progress toward SEPA integration

The Bank of Albania published remarks by Second Deputy Governor Natasha Ahmetaj from a high-level Economic Forum on the economic potential of Corridor VIII, positioning the project as an enabler of European integration and regional economic development. She argued that sound monetary policy and financial stability are prerequisites for implementing major infrastructure projects. Ahmetaj highlighted expected benefits including reduced trade costs, stronger export competitiveness and a larger role for the Port of Durrës as a transit hub and regional logistics centre, alongside potential gains from economic diversification, employment growth and narrowing disparities between coastal and eastern Albania. She described the Albanian banking system as well-capitalized and liquid and aligned with European regulatory standards, while noting that large infrastructure projects require cooperation with international partners and blended financing. The remarks also pointed to the Bank of Albania’s work to align regulation and supervision with European Union standards, strengthen prudential mechanisms and modernise payment infrastructure, including preparations for deeper integration such as inclusion in the Single Euro Payments Area, which she linked to faster and lower-cost euro transactions supporting trade and financial exchanges along Corridor VIII.