The Bank of Albania reported that Governor Gent Sejko attended the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG) constituency meeting in Varese, Italy on 26–27 June 2025, where central bank governors and finance ministers discussed global economic developments, competitiveness-focused industrial policies, and the IMF and WBG’s perspectives on financial stability and long-term growth. Sejko presented the latest economic developments in Albania and the central bank’s role in supporting macroeconomic stability. He assessed that the first round of United States tariffs has a negligible direct impact on Albania because the country’s trade and financial ties with the US are limited at around 0.2% of GDP, but warned that a global-scale tariff war could reduce demand for exports, import inflation and push up domestic prices, and create risks for the financial sector as trade-exposed companies face tougher conditions. The meeting also covered resilience to overlapping crises and natural disasters, including the need for financing and insurance solutions for disaster-related risks; separately, Banca d’Italia Deputy Governor Luigi Federico Signorini thanked Sejko for collaboration on modernising payment systems in Albania and at the regional level.
Bank of Albania 2025-06-27
Bank of Albania Governor Sejko briefs IMF World Bank constituency and warns a wider tariff war could raise inflation and financial-sector risks
Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko attended the IMF and World Bank Group constituency meeting in Italy, discussing global economic developments and financial stability. Sejko highlighted Albania's limited exposure to US tariffs but warned of potential risks from a global tariff war. The meeting also addressed resilience to crises and disaster-related financing, with Banca d’Italia acknowledging collaboration on modernizing payment systems.