The government emerged from its latest meeting with a package of announcements on procurement transparency, IPARD funds and several major investments in water infrastructure and energy. But beyond the list of promises and figures, what was presented remains largely the official version: the platform is not yet in operation, the funds are expected to reopen, and some of the projects are still at the approval stage or awaiting grants.
“Pasqyra Albania,” the new promise for procurement transparency
Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj said the government meeting discussed public procurement at length and, according to her, the need for a more centralized and more transparent system.
According to Ibrahimaj, the “Pasqyra Albania” platform aims to give citizens access not only to procurement procedures and their completion, but also to the implementation of contracts. She said the government is seeking to synchronize the systems of the Ministry of Finance, the Public Procurement Agency, the Centralized Purchasing Operator and fiscalization, with the claim that public funds will be traceable at every stage.
However, the statements did not provide full operational timelines, independent oversight mechanisms or concrete guarantees that this access will be complete and verifiable for the public, beyond the interface now being presented.
Artificial intelligence in tenders still in the finalization stage
Another element announced was the use of artificial intelligence in public procurement. Ibrahimaj said the government is in the final stages of completing the details and expects procedures for its use to begin during the autumn of this year.
According to the official version, the technology will serve to make the system more transparent and more accessible to citizens. But no explanation was given as to what concrete functions this system will have, how it will be audited, which decision-making it will affect, and how abuse or the automation of errors will be avoided in a field with high risks for public money.
The agreement with France for Durrës: 118 million euros on the table
In the same appearance, Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi announced that the government had approved agreements and projects, including the agreement with France for the rehabilitation of Durrës’ water supply and sewerage system.
According to him, the project is worth 118 million euros and also includes the expansion of the wastewater treatment plant. Karakaçi said the project has reached its final point, but the public statement gave no details on the financing structure, the terms of the agreement, the implementation deadlines or the costs to be borne by Albanian institutions.
Grants for Porto Romano, Tirana and 50 public schools
Karakaçi also announced what he said was news from the European Union: the allocation of a 50 million euro grant for investments in Porto Romano, Spitallë and Shkozet.
The approval of a project to improve Tirana’s water supply pipelines and install smart meters was also announced. The minister said more than 50% of the investment fund is expected to be covered by a grant.
Another project mentioned was one on energy efficiency in 50 public schools, worth 22 million euros. According to the official statement, the schools will be rehabilitated and equipped with facade insulation systems and solar panels.
IPARD and integration still in the language of expectations
The appearance also touched on the European integration process and IPARD funds, but without a new detailed decision for the public. The government expressed expectations for the closure of Chapter 20 and for the reopening of IPARD funds.
For now, these remain objectives announced by the executive, not consolidated results. In the absence of accompanying documents and a clear timetable, the real weight of the announcements will be measured only in implementation and in the level of transparency that will be offered in practice.
The balance sheet of the government meeting brought more promises of systems, platforms and financing than full details on how they will work.
For citizens and taxpayers, the decisive test remains the same: whether public money will truly become controllable and whether the announced projects will move beyond political announcements into verifiable implementation.