ExportON, the newest national dialogue platform for Albanian exports, designed by AIDA (the Albanian Investment Development Agency), was launched today. The platform aims to build a sustainable space for cooperation between public institutions, support agencies, and exporting businesses, placing exports at the centre of economic development policies and contributing to increased added value under the “Made in Albania” label.

Today’s event coincided with AIDA’s 15th anniversary, which has now become a consolidated institution supporting Albanian businesses and investments, both domestic and foreign, promoting exports and connecting Albanian companies with export markets.

Through “ExportON”, AIDA strengthens its role as a bridge between the state and exporters, pursuing a development model based on quality, innovation, and added value for the Albanian economy.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, who attended the event, stated that “Made in Albania” is a quality brand and a passport to the EU. For this reason, the government will strongly and increasingly support all those who aim to earn this passport, abandoning the idea that low-price competition can take them far and instead focusing on competition through high standards.

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 Prime Minister Edi Rama:

Greetings everyone.
Given the importance of exports, the Minister of Economy, the Minister of Agriculture, the Deputy Minister of Economy, and others are present.

I want to use this moment to stress how essential it is for all our companies, which are in continuous transformation driven by their ambition to grow, to also keep their eyes on what awaits them in the not-so-distant future when Albania becomes a member of the European Union. The EU is a space of extraordinary opportunities, but also a threshold of extraordinary challenges. Those who can adapt will be winners. Those who can not do not will be losers.

Today we are entering another very important year in the EU accession process, while at the same time supporting an AIDA initiative. Our Investment Agency has evolved from a simple information office into a support mechanism that monitors, assists, and guides businesses. One of the most important needs of our economy is to increase value created domestically, and one of AIDA’s key objectives is precisely to support exports by promoting “Made in Albania” production.

For this reason, the government stands with you to place exporters at the centre and to elevate the relationship between exporters and the Albanian state, using AIDA (Albanian Investment Development Agency) as a meeting point between exporters and institutions, starting with the relevant ministries.

“Made in Albania” is a quality brand and a passport to the EU. That is why we will strongly and increasingly support everyone who seeks to obtain this passport, or more accurately, to give themselves this passport, by moving away from low-price competition and focusing on competition through high standards, certified by the European Union. The goal is to create more value and generate profit through quality, not quantity.

Direct state support for international certifications is a strategic investment, not just a means to save businesses money, but also a way to help them enter the European common market more quickly. We will increase financial support for international certifications, as well as for protecting brands and intellectual property for every Albanian product entering the European market.

I saw several long-time partners from the manufacturing sector. The unavoidable transition from simple subcontracting to closed production cycles, encompassing design, textiles, wood processing, and more, has clearly shown that those who rely on innovation and self-transformation succeed. Those who wait for state oxygen and resist change are merely postponing the inevitable.

We strongly believe in manufacturing and in everyone who is embracing transformation and added value. We will do more to support enterprises that take on this challenge.

Agro-processing is also at the top of our priorities. The more we move raw materials away from direct export and instead export domestically processed goods, the more added value we keep within our borders. The phase where exports were mainly raw materials must be left behind. In agriculture, especially, the next step is agro-processing. Just as we built a strong national collection network, we now aim to build a consolidated agro-processing network.

Barriers and logistics remain issues, despite improvements. Export procedures and logistics corridors must be simplified to reduce time and transport costs, relying heavily on digitalisation.

We have introduced new financial instruments for exporting enterprises, reducing their risk with commercial banks, yet uptake remains low. Whether through the Bank of Albania credit or the new Development Bank, we need to understand precisely where the weak points are so these tools become more accessible and more funds reach you.

Finally, I want to emphasise investment in human resources. Global experience shows a direct link between investing in people, training, and qualifications, and profitability. Companies that invested less in their people declined, while those that invested more gained. What you invest in human resources comes back multiplied. This is also critical in the context of EU accession.

ExportON is presented today as a platform, but it will also measure indicators from your daily business reality and publish annual reports on export volumes. These reports will help the government address needs and help you understand where exports are heading.

Thank you for your patience.
I thank the Director of AIDA for the outstanding work done and wish continued success in transforming AIDA into an ever stronger instrument in your hands.

Thank you.