PRESS RELEASE
Speech by Governor Sejko at the inauguration of the renovated building and the Museum of the Bank of Albania

Your Excellency Prime Minister,

Honourable Ministers,

Your excellencies ambassadors,

Dear friends and colleagues,

I am very privileged to welcome you to the inauguration of the renovated building and the Museum of the Bank of Albania. Your presence in this hall shows the high consideration of the role and special importance of this institution in maintaining macroeconomic balances and the financial stability in Albania.

The building we are inaugurating today is undoubtedly one of the most prominent architectonic achievements in Albania. Built in accordance with the state-of-the-art contemporary standards, the renovated building preserves the main elements of Rationalism, from the original project design. The large volumes, symmetry and the emphasised lines in façades in harmony with the modern building already attached to the traditional one. The passionate work of Architect Morpurgo, finalised in 1938, was further enriched by the interesting project of professor Petreschi, finalised in the form we are inaugurating today.

In terms of structural, mechanical, and technical aspects, the building is upgraded with the latest technology in the relevant fields, thus fully guaranteeing contemporary standards for the work conditions of the employees.

In terms of functionality, the building is convenient for conducting primary, representative and auxiliary activities. It has with meeting rooms, conference room, and other social and educational facilities.

I would like to thank Professor Petreschi for the idea and the realisation of this natural fusion of the old with the modern.

The inauguration of the building is the best occasion for us to inaugurate today  a modest achievement of our work over years. Following a world-wide tradition, the Bank of Albania will finally have its own Museum, which is officially inaugurated today. Money, with all its dimensions, is at the heart of the Museum. The Museum exhibits not only physical transactions and money's role in different economic development stages in Albania, but also the way how this precious asset has evolved physically, from the uncommon shape in ancient times, through its sophistication along the centuries, up to its modern shape, whether visible and not, through digital transactions.

Nevertheless, it is not conceptualised only as a currency museum, hence the name the Museum of the Bank of Albania. The Bank of Albania is the central bank of Albania and it has an important mission to accomplish. I believe that each age group or group of interest will be able to find interesting facts and information regarding the past and present of the Albanian currency. Furthermore, visitor will find other stylised and interesting information related to the banking system, functions of the Bank of Albania , instruments that it employees, and certainly the European future of the country, including its monetary integration. 

Dear guests, 

The inauguration of the renovated building and of the Museum coincides with a challenging situation to the domestic and external economy. Fully responsible for its mission, the Bank of Albania will continue to be a reliable voice for important analyses and decision-making for economic and financial matters in Albania. The economic and financial stability of the country are very important to us. As we discussed today at the Conference, our short and long-term objectives are oriented towards boosting the economic activity at home, towards price stability and towards the financial soundness of the banking system.

Contemporary premises serving for both work and scientific research purposes are an added value for the Bank of Albania to successfully accomplish its constitutional mission.

Before concluding this short welcoming address, I would like to say thank you to:

• The European Central Bank for the assistance provided in the consulting and selection stages of the project.
• All the external collaborators and the relevant public institutions, for their assistance to finalise the Museum in the due time and quality.
• The employees of the Bank of Albania for their devoted work and contribution for the realisation of these projects.

I am confident these premises will be a source of motivation and prosperity both for us and for the next generations. 

Thank you!