BANK OF ALBANIA

PRESS RELEASE
Governor Sejko meets the young professionals participating in the LEAD Albania Program 2021

Publication date: 23.06.2021

 

On 23 June 2021, the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Mr Gent Sejko, meets with the participants of the LEAD Albania Program 2021* organised by the Albanian-American Development Foundation.

The purpose of this program is to provide gifted young Albanian professionals with first-hand experience in the process of governing Albania. Their experience is supported by an educational component whereby participants in the Program are presented with an opportunity to meet high ranking officials of the public and private sector, diplomats etc.

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From this perspective, the meeting held today provided an added value to the participants. They had the opportunity to learn from the Governor of the Bank of Albania, as the Chief Executive Officer of one of the highest-ranking central institutions in Albania, about the successes and challenges of his career.

In this meeting, Governor Sejko presented the mission, objectives, vision, values, role and importance of the Bank of Albania as a central bank. He emphasized that the vision of the Bank of Albania is good governance through strengthening independence, enhancing accountability and transparency, with a view to fostering public confidence in the institution.

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The Governor stated that the principal objective of the Bank of Albania is to achieve and maintain price stability. In light of this objective, the Bank of Albania helps in establishing the necessary premises for sustainable and long-term economic growth of the country, employment and welfare, preserves the value of savings, and contributes to the stability and development of the financial system. The objective is achieved through the independent formulation and implementation of the monetary policy.

As the issuer of national currency, the Bank of Albania promotes the smooth functioning of the payment systems to:  ensure a safe and fast circulation of currency in the economy at low cost; prevent systemic risk; and safeguard the stability of financial institutions and markets.

The Bank of Albania promotes the stability of the financial system - public confidence in financial institutions, markets and infrastructure - through regulating, licensing and supervising banks and other financial institutions, as well as regularly identifying and analysing risks and threats to financial stability.

Also, special attention is paid to the financial education of the public through educational programmes that aim to cultivate and strengthen the financial literacy of the Albanian society.

In addition, the Governor said that as one of the most important institutions in Albania, the Bank of Albania offers unique opportunities for the professional development of its employees in various aspects of the daily activity, by building their technical capacities, improving the quality of work, as well as perfecting team work. The institution provides its employees with techniques and methodologies based on rigorous analysis and professional discussions, in line with the best practices implemented by European central banks.

For students and recent graduates the Bank offers internships in specific educational programmes or participation in its special projects. These internships aim to convey a civilised and professional model of career build-up.

The meeting ended with a Q&A session during which the participants were able to receive further information from the Governor in a conversation-style setting.

* The LEAD Albania Program (Leadership Experience and Development) is an initiative of the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF) implemented since 2013. The concept of the program is derived from the White House Fellows Program in the United States. Its purpose is to provide gifted young Albanian professionals with first-hand experience in the process of governing Albania and a sense of personal involvement in the leadership of society through a one-year placement in a top-ranking government position. Follows are assigned to senior positions within the Prime Ministry, Office of the President, Ministries, and Municipality of Tirana.