SMEs seek EU-readiness support

As Albania pushes toward EU accession by 2030, small and medium-sized businesses say they are not yet ready to compete with European enterprises and are calling for stronger institutional support.

Business leaders stress the need for funding, logistics, and human capital development to meet EU standards. “The biggest need is support in knowledge and financing,” said Nikolin Jaka, head of Tirana’s Chamber of Commerce.

Concerns grow especially around Chapter 20 of EU negotiations, which deals with enterprise and industrial policy, including competitiveness, innovation, and foreign investment.

Italy has pledged a €30 million fund to assist Albanian SMEs, with loans of up to €500,000 at low interest rates. The joint Albania-Italy program aims to improve credit access, upgrade technology, and raise production standards.