On April 21-26, 2025, in Washington, the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WB) were held.

These meetings are attended by finance ministers of member countries, central bank governors, senior executives of international financial institutions, and representatives of the academic world, business, and civil society. The Bank of Albania was represented by a high-level delegation, headed by Governor Gent Sejko.

On this occasion, Sejko held several important meetings with well-known personalities in the international financial field, among whom the Executive Director for Albania at the IMF, Riccardo Ercoli; the Director of the European Department of the IMF, Alfred Kammer; Assistant Director of the Monetary and Capital Markets Department, Jennifer Elliott; IMF Mission Chief, Anke Weber; World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, Antonella Bassani; World Bank Country Director for Albania, Matteo Bugamelli; World Bank Regional Director for the Western Balkans, Xiaoqing Yu.

During these meetings, the latest macroeconomic and financial developments in Albania, macroeconomic policies, as well as developments in the financial and banking sectors were discussed. The focus of the talks was also on the sustainability of economic growth, inflation control, fiscal consolidation, structural reforms, and monetary policies pursued by the Bank of Albania.

Briefing on economic developments, Sejko emphasized Albania’s macroeconomic stability, which continues to confirm sustainable economic growth, supported by strong domestic demand and growing sectors, especially tourism and private consumption.

The Governor highlighted the significant improvement in the financial health of the banking sector, noting that banks remain well-capitalized, liquid, and profitable, with a low level of non-performing loans. According to the data, the positive trends in financial performance and the expansion of lending testify to confidence in the financial system and its ability to support sustainable economic growth.

Regarding the prospects, participants stressed the importance of structural reforms as a key opportunity for Albania’s progress. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to strengthen transparency, reduce the level of informality in the economy, and prepare the country for the next stages of integration into the European Union.

Also during the meetings, the good performance of the banking system was emphasized, which remains liquid, with healthy financial indicators and a low level of non-performing loans (NPL).

The IMF-WB representatives congratulated the Bank of Albania and the relevant authorities for the excellent work that led to Albania's successful membership in SEPA (Single Euro Payments Market), as well as the pursuit of further steps for the implementation of SEPA standards in practice and the successful finalization of the first transactions in October 2025.