The Minister of Economy and Innovation, Delina Ibrahimaj, participated in the dialogue platform for the National Single Window for Customs (NSW), a key initiative aimed at modernizing customs procedures and facilitating trade in Albania.

In her speech, Minister Ibrahimaj emphasized the strategic importance of this project for business and for the country’s European integration process, stating that the National Single Window project “revolutionizes the way Albanian businesses conduct trade”, through the digitalization of procedures and the reduction of bureaucracy.

She also emphasized that, due to its geographical position, Albania plays a crucial role as a transit country for the region and for trade flows to the European Union. In this context, the modernization of logistics and administrative procedures is essential to fully exploit this potential and increase the competitiveness of the Albanian economy.

The implementation of the National Single Window is part of the regional project for Trade and Transport Facilitation in the Western Balkans, financed by the World Bank. The project aims to modernize customs procedures and accelerate the movement of goods through digitalization and inter-institutional coordination.

The NSW platform envisages the creation of a single electronic system for the submission and exchange of international trade data, integrating institutions that issue documents, permits, and certificates for import and export procedures. In Albania, the system will be managed by the National Agency for the Information Society (AKSHI) and will be integrated with the e-Albania platform, while the General Directorate of Customs is the lead institution for its implementation.

The implementation of the National Single Window aims to: simplify international trade procedures; reduce administrative costs for business; accelerate customs clearance procedures; improve inter-institutional coordination; and increase transparency and integrity in customs processes.

This system also contributes to the approximation of customs procedures with European Union standards, supporting the European integration process and increasing the competitiveness of Albanian businesses in international markets.

The National Single Window is considered an important instrument for improving the business climate and facilitating trade in Albania.

Through this system, it is expected: reduction of bureaucracy and documentation; acceleration of import and export procedures; increase of predictability of trade processes; reduction of transaction costs for business.

Ibrahimaj said that these developments directly affect the growth of exports and the integration of Albanian businesses in European and global supply chains.