Ministri Blendi Gonxhja: “Honorable Ministers, Distinguished Guests and Friends,

Dear Ambassador Suard – I would like to specially Thank You for Your invaluable support in this endeavor!

Today, Albania is making a bold decision—to lead, to innovate, and to shape its future in the digital world.

It is an honor to be here today as we witness the presentation of a vision that will transform our economy, making Albania a hub for digital progress.

This journey began with the signing of a landmark G2G agreement between Albania and France in May 2024. Through this collaboration and with the expertise of Inetum, we achieved an ambitious roadmap that positions Albania at the heart of the digital revolution.

This is not just a strategy—it is a call to action, a carefully designed plan to secure Albania’s place in the fast-growing digital sector, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Services, and Digital Infrastructures.

We are building upon solid foundations. Over the past few years, Albania has taken remarkable steps in digital transformation.

We have invested 14.5 million euros in fostering an innovation ecosystem, providing startups and SMEs with support, mentorship, and funding.

In just the last two years, over 7 million euros in grants have fueled the growth of innovative enterprises, helping them scale and compete internationally. Our Smart Specialization Strategy (S3), backed by 1.18 billion euros, demonstrates our long-term commitment to making Albania a digital powerhouse.

We have also prioritized innovation in public services, and the results speak for themselves. In just eight months, the newly established Centralized Procurement Operator (OBP) has successfully completed 314 procedures, a substantial increase from the 171 completed in 2023. The success rate has climbed to 85%, up from 57% last year. Additionally, competition has become more dynamic, with the average number of competitors per procedure rising to 4.7 from 2.7 in 2023. These improvements have led to a procurement process that is not only more efficient but also fairer and more transparent.

Moreover, the efficiency of procurement has improved drastically—the average length per procedure has been reduced to just one month, compared to the nine to ten months required previously. For the first time, the Centralized Procurement Operator is automatically notifying interested bidders, reaching an impressive 462 registered subjects. The cost-effectiveness of this system is remarkable: the centralized scheme operates at only 1 million euros, while a decentralized approach would cost four times as much.

Most importantly, these advancements have yielded substantial financial benefits. In just eight months, we have saved 20.4 million euros—a striking contrast to the 2.7 million euros saved in all of 2023. The Albzone platform has revolutionized procurement efficiency, enabling orders to be uploaded within minutes, whereas in 2023, fulfilling 114 requests took an astounding 4,902 days, or an average of 43 days per request.

At a global level, technological advances are reshaping industries and economies. The European Commission has identified 14 Global Megatrends that are driving worldwide change — including AI advancements, climate change, digitalization, and shifts in education and work. Albania is aligning itself with these megatrends, ensuring that our digital transformation is future-proof and EU-aligned.

To drive this transformation, we are investing in strategic technology hubs that will foster innovation, attract investment, and create thousands of high-value jobs. Initiatives like Durana Tech Park and TEDA will provide the infrastructure, incentives, and environment needed for digital enterprises to thrive, strengthening Albania’s position as a regional leader in technology and economic development.

Education is at the heart of this transformation. The number of students enrolled in ICT programs in vocational schools has increased exponentially, equipping the next generation with essential digital skills. Our latest initiative, the Coding Program, has already attracted thousands of applicants, with many securing employment — clear evidence of the direct impact of our policies on youth employment and the future workforce.

AI is playing a crucial role in this transformation. It is revolutionizing healthcare, finance, transportation, and agriculture, making processes smarter and more efficient. As Albania moves forward with its AI ambitions, we will ensure that ethical AI development remains a top priority—focusing on transparency, fairness, and data security.

But we are thinking even bigger. Our goal is to establish Albania as the Balkans’ Green AI Hub. With our clean energy sources, strategic location, and growing tech talent, we are in a prime position to attract investment, create new jobs, and strengthen our economy.

As Albert Einstein once said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” This roadmap is an opportunity for Albania to embrace new ways of thinking, innovate boldly, and establish itself as a leader in the global digital economy.

Ladies and gentlemen, this roadmap is more than just a plan — it is a commitment. A commitment to innovation, sustainability, courage, competitiveness, and long-term progress. It is a testament to Albania’s potential to become a digital economy — one that embraces cutting-edge technologies while ensuring environmental and economic resilience.

Thank you.”