PRESS RELEASE
Governor of the Bank of Albania, Mr. Ardian Fullani, participates in the forum of economists China-Europe

On 12 January 2013, the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF) in cooperation with China Finance 40 Forum (CF40) organised the China-Europe Economists Symposium on:  "China-Europe Economy:  Future challenges and opportunities ahead".

Mr. Ardian Fullani, Governor of the Bank of Albania, attended the symposium as a keynote speaker. In his speech, Governor Fullani addressed Europe's economic and financial position at the start of 2013. He focused on the progress and economic outlook of the old continent and the resulting effects on Southeastern Europe, including Albania.

Governor Fullani stated his optimism for the near and distant future of the European economy, considering it as one of the main blocks of the global economy in the decades ahead. According to him, Europe and the European Union provide an accommodating legal setting for investors, qualified labour force and stable and reliable institutions. In his speech, Governor Fullani highlighted the importance of foreign investments in countries outside the euro area, which are potential candidate countries for EU membership, such as Albania. He invited foreign investors to invest in infrastructure projects, natural resources, energy and trade.

The full speech of Governor Fullani is also available online in the official web site of the Bank of Albania.( http://www.bankofalbania.org/ )

Other speakers in this symposium were: Mr. Vitor Constancio, Vice President of the European Central Bank, Mr. Chen Yuan, Chairman of the China Development Bank and Chairman of the CF40 Council, and Mr. Ma Weihua, President of China Merchants Bank.Co.Ltd and member of the CF40 Council. The symposium was attended by representatives of the banking industry, academia, and other prominent figures of the economy and finance from a number of European and other countries.

During his stay in Beijing, Governor Fullani paid an official visit to the People's Bank of China. In this visit, Governor Fullani informed the Governor of the People's Bank of China, Mr. Zhou Xiaochuan on the latest developments in the Albanian economy in general and the banking system in particular. He made an overview of the measures taken by the Bank of Albania to guarantee price stability at home and underlined the importance of boosting the cooperation between the two central banks. Promoting the participation of Chinese financial institutions in the Albanian banking system and establishing lines of support with foreign currency liquidity through swap transactions between the Bank of Albania and the People's Bank of China were considered as important steps in that regard.

Governor Zhou appreciated Governor Fullani's support to promote the cooperation between Southeastern Europe and Chinese investors. He said that China should boost its interest for this region and added that he will personally be more active in this framework.

He commended the work of the Bank of Albania to maintain a stable macroeconomic environment and ensure financial stability in the country and affirmed the willingness to step up the cooperation between the two central banks.