"Albanian Innovation Map"/ What are the country's steps to become a regional technology hub?
With the aim of becoming a regional technology hub, Albania has adopted an action plan to improve its position in the European Innovation Scoreboard. The decision was formalized by order of the Minister of Economy and Innovation and represents a clear institutional commitment to strengthening the national innovation system.
According to the European Innovation Scoreboard 2025, Albania is currently ranked in the "Emerging Innovators" group, marking an increase in overall performance of 4.4 percent compared to 2024 and 7.4% compared to 2018. However, the report highlights a number of structural weaknesses, particularly in research and development spending, innovative SME collaborations, participation of foreign students in doctoral studies, and exports of medium and high-tech products.
The approved action plan aims to address these issues through a package of measures divided into short, medium and long term. In the short term, the focus is on improving statistical reporting on innovation indicators and harmonizing the methodology used by INSTAT with European Union standards. In the medium term, the aim is to strengthen the innovation ecosystem through increased public-private cooperation, while in the long term, the structural transformation of the economy is envisaged through the integration of innovation, digitalization and green technologies.
Concrete measures include increasing public funding for scientific research and STEM doctorates, supporting innovative enterprises, promoting intellectual property, and strengthening internationalization through European programs such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus+. The strategic objective is for Albania to move into the "Moderate Innovators" group by 2027.
Authorities emphasize that this plan will have a direct impact on increasing the competitiveness of the Albanian economy and accelerating the country's European integration.
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