In recent years, non-bank financial institutions are also playing an important role in this regard, by implementing innovative solutions. Public authorities have initiated and developed electronic platforms for the public payment services, such as taxes. The progress is notable – if compared with 10–20 years ago. But, our benchmarks are visionary: alignment with the standards of the countries we aspire to integrate with and the development of a society with a broad base of financial inclusion, where the use of electronic payment instruments are part of everyday life. The Bank of Albania, based on this vision, has placed at its focus the modernisation of retail payments system to bring about a tangible change. In collaboration with all market stakeholders, and with the valuable expertise of the World Bank, funded by SECO, the Bank of Albania finalised a set of analyses and studies on the situation of payments in Albania. I would like to mention here three main reports, published on our website: 1. The so-called PAFI project report on the market analysis on financial inclusion, which is implemented, in many other countries, and aims at reforming the retail payment systems and promoting financial inclusion; 2. Review of the Market for Remittances in Albania, a component of retail payment systems; 3. The study on measuring the costs of payment instruments. This study identified the costs for each element, finding that cash is the most costly means to the Albanian economy. In addition, it sets out scenarios for the replacement with various innovative instruments, which reduce these costs.
The establishment of a national platform for processing card payments - would to provide a direct impact on reducing high costs and improving the current card processing practices, due to the extended cycles and involvement of more actors in the process. Such a platform would also support innovative services, such as mobile payments and e-wallet. The Bank of Albania is analysing the possibility to develop instant payment in our market as well. The implementation of such a project is deemed to have a direct impact on financial inclusion and on providing services at low cost. I invite you to actively participate in  discussions, in order to benefit as much as possible by the experience of other countries, and to analyse the possibilities presented by service providers that are invited to discuss on these topic in the afternoon session. Furthermore, regarding financial inclusion, the strategy pays special attention to the establishment of the concept of “basic” bank accounts with low costs, for the financial inclusion of all levels of population, irrespective of their economic situation. Last but not least, innovation in public services. The initiatives that digitalise and automate public services need coordination and access to various data electronic platforms, such as data of: citizens; addresses; and payments for these services. Any development should be accompanied with financial education of the population, as a precondition for success.