Facilitating business access to the EU market - EU and Western Balkans customs directors, conference in Tirana
Economic integration into the European common market through the reduction of customs barriers, facilitation of trade exchanges, border security and digitalization, was the focus of the High-Level Conference of the Directors General of Customs of the Western Balkan countries and EU member states, organized in the Capital.
Present at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku emphasized that cooperation between customs administrations plays a key role in the European integration process.
"The European Union is closer than ever and it is fortunate to be at the right time and in the right place on this journey of Albanian customs towards the European customs union. The 57-year history of the union's success is the best guide for the administrations of the Western Balkans, in their efforts towards the digitalization and harmonization of policies, customs processes, transit systems or rules of origin. The main goal is to focus on concrete measures to facilitate business trade, such as reducing waiting times for businesses, simplifying procedures and digitalizing processes."
Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance, Petrit Malaj, emphasized that only by cooperating with the countries of the region can concrete results be achieved in support of businesses and the respective economies.
"Only by working together and only by joining forces can we achieve concrete results and guarantee fair competition in the European market and beyond. Our enterprises must be ready to compete in the EU market and make their contribution to a strong and common economy. We want our enterprises to attract as much foreign investment as possible and expand into new markets. This requires continuous commitment. A key point is improving the efficiency of the customs administration. They are a strategic pillar for promoting economic development. We are committed to aligning all our procedures with the EU. Increasing regional cooperation between the customs administrations of the Western Balkans and advancing the green and blue corridors to enable faster and more integrated border crossings."
CEFTA representative, Edna Karadza, underlined the importance of the SEED+ project being implemented in real-time electronic data exchange.
"SEED + connects people and nations, enabling green and blue channels between CEFTA and the EU. Digitalization is the engine of development and through SEED + we are building this engine of development together by reducing waiting times. Over 600 thousand customs declarations from CEFTA to the EU have passed as part of the blue and green channels."
The conference serves as a platform for a new initiative aimed at strengthening customs partnerships and building a stronger regional market.
Free e-commerce in the region - What does the agreement between Albania and CEFTA countries on online sales include?
Harmonizing e-commerce laws across the region and aligning them with the European Union, with the aim of increasing or facilitating the free movement of......
EU and Britain, agreement on Gibraltar - Parties agree to remove physical barriers at the border
The European Union and the United Kingdom reached a political agreement to ensure the continued movement of people and goods between Spain and Gibraltar......
About 1 in 4 people is paid almost twice as much as the other 3/ The salary structure has "experienced" significant transformations in two years
In just two years, the wage pyramid in Albania has undergone a significant transformation, according to INSTAT data. The group of employees with the minimum......
Offshore wind energy, EBRD assists Albania - Aims to diversify production sources, especially in dry seasons
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved a program on Thursday, aiming to assist Albania in its efforts to develop offshore wind......
US proposes extension of tariff pause - Deadline change may come for countries negotiating "in good faith"
United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled the Trump administration's willingness to extend the current 90-day tariff pause beyond July 9 for......
Central Archive for Military Documentation - Government Decision, will offer documents up to 115 years old
The Council of Ministers has approved the decision to create the Central Archive in operation for the technical documentation of the special typology of......
Foreign exchange market in the 'red' – Major currencies weaken again against the Lek!
The European currency has again experienced a slight decrease in value this morning, being bought today at 97.6 lekë and being sold at 98.3 lekë compared to......
EIB triples support for defense - Bank to finance €3 billion to ensure EU security
The European Investment Bank has tripled a scheme to help finance the bloc's defense industry to 3 billion euros. The EU's lending arm has signed a deal with......
