Gent Sejko: Digitalisation vs cash Speech by Mr Gent Sejko, Governor of the Bank of Albania, at the Albanian Association of Banks (AAB) Forum on “Digitalisation vs cash”, Pristina, 14 June 2022. * * * Honourable Deputy Prime Minister Ahmetaj, Honourable Minister of Finance and Economy Ibrahimaj, Dear Chairman of the Albanian Association of Banks, Dear guests, It is a pleasure to attend this Forum, which comes naturally as a further step and logical consequence of the joint discussions and round tables on digitalisation of financial services. I would like to highlight that the support and promotion of electronic payments, both in international experiences and the Albanian context, are seen as one of the most effective and powerful mechanisms for bolstering financial inclusion and further formalizing the economy. In this context, despite the discussions and needs for interaction and developments from the actors, it appears like the objectives and targets are increasingly converging, and in turn the created synergy, absolutely, will drive to an acceleration towards the meeting of the stated objectives. In this framework, there should be underscored that the Bank of Albania has already established the effective premises for the foundation of a digital revolution in the payment market, through the legal and regulatory framework in force. This framework may be considered avant-garde in the context of the European Union. Meanwhile, at regional level, Albania is the first country that has approved the legal and regulatory framework coupled with the promotion of “open banking” in the market.

Despite the legal and regulatory provisions regarding these issues, the implementation in practice has proven to carry technical issues. To this end, we should encourage the cooperation across all institutions and market actors to overcome the problems that may arise in relation to: 2/3  BIS central bankers' speeches  prevention of money laundering; electronic signature; concluding distance contracts; promoting the use of electronic documents and necessary information during citizens’ applications to banks. All this would further facilitate the digitalization, in terms of payments and other services, such as lending and investments, contributing significantly to the common objective for a formalised and sustainable economic growth. I also assess that by exploring the experiences of our neighbours and beyond, we can identify additional measures that will promote the formalization of the economy and reduce the use of cash in the economy. I would like to end my speech by expressing once again the full commitment of the Bank of Albania to support any necessary development, in order to achieve the intended objectives. I take this opportunity to congratulate the Albanian Association of Banks for its huge and longstanding work, in boosting and supporting every project, initiative or need identified by the market and more broadly. Your dedication and professionalism has contributed very effectively, in fully accomplishing the intermediation role between the parties, while also serving as a catalyst to promote the achievement of objectives. I am convinced that the discussions of this forum will be very fruitful in these areas and in addressing rather important issues.