"We have very few patents for inventions" - Laknori: New law, more standards and less bureaucracy
In Albania, the number of patents for inventions remains low, an indicator of the lack of financial and institutional support for Albanian innovators. Experts in the field say that, although legal improvements have been made, support for inventors needs to be much more concrete, especially now that the country is in the process of integrating into the European Union.
"What is the right, we have very few invention patents and this is a problem and they should be supported as much as possible with funds. The fact that there are European funds for inventors is a good thing, the new law has brought many good things but also things that will have a small financial impact on inventors. What does this mean? To obtain a patent in Albania, there is an office that has its own examiners, but there are no opportunities, human resources for all fields of science and technology, the office gives you a temporary patent to promote the invention for 10 years but within 10 years you have to apply to an international office, such as the patent office in Munich, to bring this patent so that you can have the patent approved for another 10 years."
The new law on industrial property brings several innovations that aim to facilitate the patenting process, through a preliminary investigation report of European standards. However, even this procedure remains challenging for Albanian inventors, due to the lack of funds and concrete support.
"What does the new law do? The new law says, there is no need to do it for 10 years, do an investigation report now, which means the European Patent Office looks ahead, if the invention is correct, it is acceptable, then with this document, you enter the patent office. This is something that is good for the inventor, because it sees if it is comfortable with the rules and norms of the European Patent Office, as well as Albania. But inventors are poor, they do not have the opportunity. We must support them, try all together, to support inventors so that they have the opportunity to participate in European projects for innovation that are full and as much as you want. Especially now that we have become a candidate country to enter the EU."
Meanwhile, the National Employment and Skills Agency aims to support young entrepreneurs to create their own businesses, by offering them training, mentoring and financing. Job seekers with business ideas will be trained by qualified experts, who will help them build a consolidated business plan. After this process, the best plans will be selected for financing, receiving support of up to 1 million lek.
Greece increases spending by 5 billion euros in 2026 - Draft budget predicts economic expansion by 2.4% next year
Greece's draft budget for 2026 foresees a spending increase of 5 billion euros compared to 2025, mainly driven by investment spending for the Recovery and......
How much does it cost to live alone in Albania? Two adults with children spend about 27 thousand lek more than two adults without children
Monthly consumption expenditures in Albania increased during 2024 in all categories of families, reflecting a slight increase in the well-being and......
Fine of 350 euros/m2 for construction without a permit and confiscation - Measures are strengthened, implementation begins. Who is included in the "Black List"
Anyone who builds without a permit, or in excess of building permits, will be penalized. The government has approved normative acts that have entered into......
Renewable energy forecast shrinks - IEA reduces global growth projection by 900 GW by 2030
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has cut its global forecast for renewable energy capacity growth through 2030 by 900 gigawatts, compared with last......
EU, jobs in the solar industry decrease - Employment shrinks for the first time in the last decade
Employment in the European Union's solar industry reached a record high last year, but is set to decline in 2025. However, the contraction in solar jobs this......
"Mandatory earthquake insurance of homes" - Consultative meeting with interest groups is held!
The Ministry of Finance held a consultative meeting with stakeholders today on the draft law “On the mandatory insurance of housing against earthquakes”. The......
"Western Balkans economy slows" - WB: Job creation essential to support growth
In its Regular Economic Report for the Western Balkans, the World Bank notes that growth slowed this year as inflation dampened consumption growth and rising......
“Foreign demand boosted the Albanian economy” - WB report: Faster implementation of reforms will increase per capita income
"Despite a slowdown in tourism growth, the services and construction sectors were the main drivers of economic growth on the supply side, offsetting declines......
