President Bajram Begaj met Michael Granoff, chairman of the board of the Albanian-American Development Foundation, and other board members at the Brigades Palace.

Begaj praised the foundation’s contribution to economic development. He stressed the importance of continuing its projects in education, tourism, cultural heritage and agriculture, as well as efforts to strengthen professional and institutional capacity.

He said the foundation’s projects also promote new work standards and help transform professional attitudes. In particular, Begaj highlighted the TOKA (The Land) project, which aims to modernise agriculture, increase productivity and competitiveness, strengthen food security and align the sector with European Union standards.

Meanwhile, the talks covered investment in human capital through scholarships, professional internships, international academic cooperation and artificial intelligence skills programmes. Begaj said these initiatives create opportunities for young people to build successful careers in Albania and strengthen ties with the diaspora.

The president also praised the foundation’s work in cybersecurity, cultural heritage preservation, tourism promotion and local economic development. He cited projects involving Butrint and the Kala neighbourhood of Elbasan.

/a.p./