Sovereign Guarantee for Agriculture/ Malaj: Cooperation with the banking sector, important for successful implementation!
The Minister of Finance, Petrit Malaj, participated today in the roundtable discussion with representatives of the banking sector regarding the sovereign guarantee for agriculture, organized by the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Albania.
During his speech, the Minister emphasized that the sovereign guarantee is not just a financial instrument, but a real opportunity to build a new development model for agriculture and the economy, where cooperation with the banking sector is one of the key factors of success.
The sovereign guarantee scheme, he said, will support agriculture with a fund of about 3 billion lek or 30 million euros and will be made available in cooperation with the banking sector.
"This guarantee aims to solve one of the biggest obstacles to financing in this sector, the lack of collateral, and to promote lending to this important sector at low cost," said Malaj.
The main elements of the scheme are: a guarantee of up to 70% of the loan value for farmers and agricultural SMEs; an interest rate limited to 2% and use only for investments that increase production capacity and competitiveness: agro-processing, agricultural mechanics, agrotourism, fishing, aquaculture, modern greenhouses, etc.
The efficient implementation of the sovereign guarantee, the Minister further said, requires active participation from farmers themselves and small and medium-sized enterprises throughout the country.
Malaj said that the Albanian government and the Ministry of Finance remain committed to creating the appropriate financial, legal and regulatory environment in order to encourage investments in priority sectors of economic development.
Speech by the Minister of Finance Petrit Malaj:
Dear Governor,
Dear representatives of the banking system,
It is a pleasure to meet again, this time at a broader table, to discuss one of the government's most important priorities, such as increasing financial support for the agricultural sector, through a new banking approach and instruments.
First of all, I would like to thank you for your participation, as it is a clear indicator of the spirit of cooperation and our partnership, which will need to be further strengthened, as an opportunity to coordinate policies for the development of the agricultural economy, towards the vision "Albania 2030", which this government has.
The model we are aiming to build is based on the joint commitment of all stakeholders: government, local government, farmers, and even the banking sector, because in this way we will be able to build a stronger rural enterprise.
The potential in this sector exists, as does the will. What we will need to encourage is increased access to finance.
In recent years, at certain times, for certain objectives, the Albanian government has supported various sectors of the economy through sovereign guarantees (4 in total).
Following this positive experience, we are taking the next step by approving a new Sovereign Guarantee scheme, which for the first time will support the agricultural sector, with a fund of 3 billion lek or 30 million euros, which will be made available in cooperation with the banking system.
This guarantee aims to resolve one of the biggest obstacles to financing in this sector – the lack of collateral – and to promote lending to this important sector at low cost.
The main elements of this scheme are:
• Guarantee up to 70% of the loan value for farmers and agricultural SMEs;
• Interest rate limited to 2%.
• Use only for investments that increase production capacity and competitiveness: agro-processing, agricultural mechanics, agrotourism, fishing, aquaculture, modern greenhouses, etc.
Dear participants,
This guarantee is not just a financial instrument – it is a real opportunity to build a new model of rural and economic development. We see cooperation with the banking sector as one of the main keys to success in this sector.
We are aware that the level of agricultural credit is not at optimal levels due to a number of factors, but we must make maximum efforts to change this situation, through coordinated policies, higher financial education or even by offering dedicated banking products for this sector.
In fact, with the availability of this sovereign guarantee, where the state assumes a significant risk, by covering up to 70% of the loan value, our expectation is that banks will significantly increase their level of commitment and willingness to lend to agriculture.
Therefore, I am convinced that now, with the state as a guarantor, there is no longer any room for hesitation, as the instruments are available.
On the other hand, the effective implementation of the Sovereign Grant requires active participation from farmers themselves and small and medium-sized enterprises throughout the country.
Everyone should benefit from this direct support, to invest, to expand agricultural activity by taking advantage of the advantage offered by soft loans with favorable conditions. It is an opportunity that should not be missed, to increase production, to modernize equipment, to enter agritourism, processing, or other sectors with great potential.
Only through broad and organized participation of small and medium-sized businesses, supported by a more active and proactive banking system, will we be able to ensure a real and effective outreach of this initiative, ensuring that funds go where they are most needed and where the impact is greatest.
Dear representatives of the banking sector,
The Albanian government, especially the Ministry of Finance, is committed to creating the appropriate financial, legal and regulatory environment in order to encourage investments in priority sectors of economic development.
The Sovereign Guarantee for Agriculture is just one of the steps – and its success depends on the commitment of each of us.
I express my full conviction that by working together we will be able to build a new development model that will serve us to make our agriculture more competitive, also within the framework of the European integration process.
Thank you!
The calendar for application and registration at universities is published!
The Minister of Education and Sports, Ogerta Manastirliu, published today, through social networks, the calendar of university application procedures for the......
Investments and trust in the international arena are increasing - ALTAX Report: Albania on a positive trajectory, but there are also challenges
Albania has experienced one of the most stable political periods of the last decade, with high diplomatic representation, positive assessments from......
US "punishes" 14 countries with tariffs - The list includes allied countries such as Japan and South Korea
US President Donald Trump announced new tariffs of up to 40% on imports from 14 countries. He warned that any retaliatory measures from these countries would......
General decline in the foreign exchange market - How much are foreign currencies exchanged against the lek today?
The US dollar has suffered a decline in value this morning, as have other major currencies, being bought today at 82.6 lek and being sold at 83.6 lek......
European spending shrinks in May - Global trade tensions "hold back" consumers
Eurozone retail sales fell by the most in nearly two years on Monday as economic uncertainty over U.S. trade tariffs weighed on consumer spending. Eurozone......
Trump letter to Vučić, 35% tariff for Serbia - Imposes 30% duties on imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina
US President Donald Trump announced the imposition of tariffs of 35% on imports from Serbia and 30% on Bosnia and Herzegovina. He stressed that the tariffs......
Tirana-Durrës/Rama highway: Works on new lanes nearing completion!
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today images from the construction site of the Tirana-Durres highway, saying that work is nearing completion on the new......
Kosovo production at risk, market full of Serbian goods - Kosovo Business Alliance: This is a "silent invasion"
Domestic production in Kosovo is at risk at a time when the market is flooded with Serbian goods. For the Kosovo Alliance, this is putting Kosovo's very......
