PRESS RELEASE
3d Meeting of the National Payment Systems Committee

On 9 May 2017, the National Payment Systems Committee (NPSC) held its third meeting, chaired by Ms. Elisabeta Gjoni, First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania. In addition to NPSC members: the Chairman of the Albanian Association of Banks (AAB), Chairman of the AAB's Payments Committee, Executive General Director of the Financial Supervision Authority, representatives of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Innovation and Public Administration, Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mr Mario Guadamillas, Practice Manager in the Finance and Markets Global Practice at the World Bank, Ms Maria Teresa Chimienti and Mr Jose Antonio Garcia, World Bank's Payment Systems Development Group and Ms Johanna Jaeger, Financial Sector Specialist at the World Bank, also attended.

Representatives of non-bank financial institutions, national operators of card payment schemes and utility companies were also invited to the meeting.

In her opening address, Ms Gjoni, said that the NPSC is an opportunity for promoting developments among various actors related to payment instruments and discuss future projects. In this regard, Ms Gjoni emphasised that the strategy approved by the NPSC in the first meeting helped create a roadmap for its work. She added that the Bank of Albania is working in cooperation with the World Bank on drafting a strategy with concrete steps for reforming and developing the payment system market.

In addition, Ms Gjoni presented three key objectives about future projects of the NPSC, among them, the importance of creating the necessary facilities and legal or regulatory space to promote the use of innovative and safe payment instruments. Ms Gjoni said that enhancing further the security of internet payments in line with the best European Union practices remains particularly important. Lastly, Ms Gjoni underlined raising the public awareness and education, with a view to financial inclusion, is also at the focus of the NPSC.

The representative of the Ministry of Innovation and Public Administration presented the most recent developments about projects in the field of innovation related to internet and digital technology. She underlined that the use of e-signature in banking and innovative payment methods remain particularly important.

The representative of the Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism and Entrepreneurship focused on their work related consumer protection. She underlined that, in line with its mandate, the Ministry has worked on formulating consumer protection policies and has taken recently concrete steps in addressing their complaints, by establishing relevant structures. While these structures are recently established, the territorial reform and the cooperation with the local government have contributed to the awareness raising campaign undertaken by the Ministry. Lastly, she pointed out the importance of the development of the electronic payments market, which contributes to boosting tourism in Albania.

The representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs discussed on fighting cybercrime in banking services and presented concrete examples to underline the importance and necessity for cooperation among stakeholders in order to enhance internet security and potential preventive measures.

Then NPSC Chair Gjoni invited Mr Mario Guadamillas, Practice Manager in the Finance and Markets Global Practice at the World Bank, who presented an overview of the measures and projects of the World Bank at the international level. World Bank representatives shared with the NPSC the main outcome of two projects in the aspect of payments in Albania as well as future cooperation.

Then, WB representatives presented a summary of the results and recommendations of the projects undertaken by the World Bank in the field of financial inclusion from the point of view of payments as well as in relation with the international remittances project.

The Chairman of the Albanian Association of Banks, Mr Periklis Drougkas presented the most recent developments in the banking system related to electronic payments. He elaborated on the development of platforms for e-banking by some banks and underlined the novelty about client identification, by some commercial banks. In addition, Mr Drougkas presented innovative services offered by some banks in terms of bank cards. Concluding, he made a brief summary of NPSC projects finalised by the Albanian Association of Banks.

Ms Anjeza Beja, Director of the Payment System, Accounting and Finance Department at the Bank of Albania delivered a presentation on the transposition of the Payment System Directive in the domestic market as well as on the document with recommendations of the European Banking Authority (EBA) regarding the security of internet payments.

The representatives of non-bank financial institutions welcomed the initiative and provided their comments and input. They identified some aspects of future collaboration.

In conclusion, the National Payment Systems Committee discussed on draft-recommendations targeting future developments.