At the latest episode of his weekly podcast “Flasim”, Prime Minister Edi Rama praised the second edition of MatchMaker Albania. The event gathered around 1,200 participants, including nearly 500 international investors from over 40 countries.

Rama said the event created a real space for ideas, projects, and collaborations to take shape. He highlighted hundreds of direct meetings between representatives of different businesses. These interactions helped participants explore projects seeking new partnerships in both public and private sectors.

He also noted the strong interest and presence of well-known international companies.

“What was clear in this second edition was the growth of interest and the real opportunities that stem from mutual engagement. Companies are not in Albania just symbolically; they see the country as a serious destination for investors,” Rama said.

The Prime Minister discussed Albania’s economic transformation.

“Albania is no longer a country of potential for the future. Today, the future is here. The previous model, based on low labor costs, has shifted to a model that creates added value, quality, and long-term sustainable partnerships,” he said.

Rama recalled the old economic model, which relied on tourism and foreign investment.

“Previously, Albania welcomed two to three million tourists per year, counting even Albanians traveling in and out. Annual foreign investments averaged €300–400 million. Now, we have 12 million tourists and over €1.5 billion in foreign investments annually. Albania ranks as the country with the most significant and deepest transformation in the region over the past decade,” the Prime Minister added.

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