The official process for establishing the Albanian Development Bank has begun, marking the creation of the country’s first state-owned development financial institution with 100% public capital. The Centralized Purchasing Operator (CPO) has launched the procurement procedure for selecting an international consulting company that will assist in drafting the bank’s strategic, operational, and institutional framework.
The procedure aims to attract companies with international experience in establishing and operating development financial institutions, with the goal of making the Albanian Development Bank functional and operational as quickly as possible. The project is considered one of the most significant initiatives of recent years in terms of creating state-backed instruments to support the economy and entrepreneurship.
The Albanian Development Bank is expected to play a key role in financing the economy, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), through financing mechanisms with favorable terms. Another important element of the project is the expansion of access to financial services through the Albanian Post network across the country, aiming to increase financial inclusion, particularly in areas where banking services are more limited.
Although, as a joint-stock company, the Albanian Development Bank was not legally required to conduct procurement procedures through the central purchasing body, it voluntarily chose to entrust this process to the Centralized Purchasing Operator. This decision is seen as a sign of confidence in CPO’s standards of transparency, professionalism, and procurement procedures.
With the launch of this procedure, the project has now entered a concrete implementation phase, while authorities aim for the new financial institution to serve as an important instrument for economic development, investment support, and the strengthening of Albanian entrepreneurship.