International Workshop on Criminal Investigations, Xhaja: AAPSK, progress in the good management of criminal assets
The Seized and Confiscated Assets Administration Agency (AAPSK) participates in the three-day workshop "Tax Inspectors without Borders - Criminal Investigations Program", organized in Tirana by UNDP, OECD and the Swiss government (SECO), with the participation of key law enforcement institutions of the country and international partners.
This activity, which takes place from November 17 to 19, 2025, aims to strengthen the capacities of Albanian institutions in the fight against financial crimes, tax evasion and money laundering, as well as increase inter-institutional cooperation for the effective administration of seized and confiscated assets.
During the session dedicated to the presentation of institutional mandates, the Chief Administrator of AAPSK, Ms. Risena Xhaja, presented the functions, challenges and results of the Agency in the administration of assets originating from illegal activities.
Ms. Xhaja emphasized that the AAPSK is an important link in the chain of justice, ensuring the preservation, management, evaluation and return to the economy of seized or confiscated assets, as a key instrument for combating organized crime and the illegal economy.
She presented a clear overview of the asset categories that the Agency administers, as well as the considerable volume of assets under administration, which range from real estate and means of transportation, to bank accounts, businesses, valuables and other materials.
During her speech, the Chief Administrator pointed out several challenges that require joint inter-institutional addressing, related to the valuation and maintenance of assets, the legal and procedural complexity in their administration, the financial and operational challenges related to maintenance costs, liquidation processes, digitalization and human resources, as well as the need for more transparency.
She emphasized that facing these challenges requires an integrated approach and increased inter-institutional cooperation.
Ms. Xhaja also shared some of the results achieved in her first year at the helm of AAPSK, which relate to improving the administration of many categories of assets through more transparent procedures; increasing cooperation with law enforcement institutions and international partners; preparing new public reporting models and better asset management standards; as well as expanding projects for the social use of assets, in the public interest.
At the end of her speech, the Chief Administrator underlined the Agency's vision to turn confiscated assets into "benefits for society", emphasizing that their fair and transparent administration is a concrete form of social justice.
During the three days of the workshop, representatives of the AAPSK, the General Directorate of Taxes, the State Police, SPAK, the Prosecutor's Office, the AIF, Customs, as well as international partners (OECD, UNDP, SECO, Guardia di Finanza, EU4LEA) will address institutional maturity models, inter-institutional cooperation, the development of strategies against financial crime and the improvement of investigation and asset seizure mechanisms.
At the end of the workshop, assessments and recommendations for strengthening national capacities will be presented, which will serve as the basis for Phase II of the TIWB–CI program.
China "finances" the US - Why has Washington received 200 billion USD in loans from Chinese state-owned banks?
For years, Washington has warned other countries not to trust loans from Chinese state-owned banks, which have helped China rise to superpower status. But a......
New rules for declaring invoices - Fiscalization bill, strengthens traceability of transactions with foreign buyers
The Fiscalization Law will undergo changes aimed at increasing the control and traceability of transactions. Specifically, the amendments to the draft law......
"500% Tariffs on Countries Trading with Russia" - Trump Warns of New Measures to End the War in Ukraine
A bill proposed in the US Senate could impose a 500% tariff on countries that continue to trade with Moscow, including major buyers such as India and China.......
Fluctuations in the foreign exchange market - How much are the major currencies being exchanged today?
The US dollar has recorded slight fluctuations in its quote from the previous day, being bought this morning at 82.7 lek and being sold at 83.8 lek according......
Meteorological situation, mainly calm - Low to moderate intensity precipitation. No serious problems at the national level
In a public communication, the National Civil Protection Agency announces that the meteorological situation in the country appears mainly calm, with low to......
AI "boosts" energy storage systems - Global demand for these networks could increase by 40% in 2026
The growing demand for power from artificial intelligence data centers in the U.S. is expected to drive a strong expansion cycle for the energy storage......
Business crisis in Kosovo - Liberalization of the energy market has increased prices and reduced capacities
The process of liberalizing the energy market in Kosovo has hit manufacturing businesses hard, significantly increasing costs and limiting their......
Moti i keq, Balluku me prefektët e kryebashakiakët: Merrni masa në kohë për situatën!
Zëvëndës kryeministrja Balluku pati në orët e pasdites një takim me 12 prefektët e qarqeve dhe kryetarët e bashkive që konsiderohen zona me rrezikshmëri të......
