Microfinance Sector and Sme Financial Suport in Albania

Abstract

The creation of the microfinance sector and its functioning in Albania has played an essential role and has been and is a powerful tool for the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of Albanian agribusiness. Microfinance has played an ever more decisive role in increasing output, reducing unemployment, improving the level of living conditions and welfare of the population, especially in rural areas, creating new jobs, contributing significantly to economic development Of the country. The growth and development of SMEs plays a fundamental role in the national economy, serving as a driving force in the country's economic development. Empirical evidence suggests that the growing SME sector and the dynamism of their development can strongly contribute to achieving a broad range of development objectives, such as: Achieving income distribution and poverty reduction; Creating employment; Savings mobilization; And production of goods and services that meet basic basic needs of the individual and society. Despite the great contribution to the growth and economic development of the country, the growth and development of SMEs in our country has been hampered by financial access, poor management skills, and lack of training opportunities and high input costs. Liquidities' sluggishness and low access to finance for SMEs is the biggest obstacle to them. SMEs have limited access to financial services provided by formal financial institutions to meet their liquidity and investment needs.