Sweden supports INSTAT with 2.8 mln

TIRANA, Nov. 26 – The Swedish government has announced it will support Albania’s state statistical institute, INSTAT, with a Euro 2.8 million assistance programme to help it improve current statistical indicators and compile new ones in line with the EU requirements.
The three-year deal signed this week will increase public transparency, provide new indicators on business statistics and make them easily accessible online. The deal will also enable the establishment of a training centre on statistics.
In its latest progress report on Albania, the European Commission notes that there has been progress towards alignment with EU standards in the field of statistics. “Further substantial efforts are needed, in particular in the field of national accounts. The Albanian civil registration system and the methodology used for the labour force survey need to be improved. INSTAT’s independence and professional expertise need to be ensured. Overall, preparations in this area are moderately advanced.”