On September 24-25, GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) GmbH held the concluding meeting for the “Global Program Combating Illicit Financial Flows”  in Skopje, North Macedonia, which was attended by law enforcement agencies from the region that have benefited from the program.

GIZ has consistently supported Albanian institutions through this program, leveraging international expertise, particularly during the time when Albania was included in the FATF’s list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring.

The Financial Intelligence Agency was represented at the meeting by the Director of the Coordination and Legal Department. In her remarks, she expressed sincere gratitude for the ongoing assistance from GIZ and specifically acknowledged the valuable collaboration and professional coordination provided by Mrs. Ardita Shehaj, the program Advisor for Albania.

The support offered by GIZ has positioned Albania as a regional success model in developing a legal framework and swiftly implementing two electronic registers: one for beneficial owners and another for centralized bank accounts. These registers are now effective tools in combating money laundering and terrorist financing for Albanian law enforcement agencies.

Furthermore, GIZ’s financial support has enabled Albanian institutions to bolster the public-private partnership approach in developing the “National Strategy for the Fight against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing 2024-2030” and its action plan.