The CBK opens the exhibition “Money Talks: 100 Years of Life and Events” in cooperation with the Bank of Albania

The Central Bank of the Republic of Kosova (CBK), in cooperation with the Bank of Albania, organized the opening ceremony of the exhibition “Money Talks: 100 Years of Life and Events,” which presents the evolution of Albanian currency over a century and its role in economic, institutional, and social development.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Governor of the CBK, Mr. Ahmet Ismaili, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Albin Kurti, and the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Mr. Gent Sejko, who addressed the audience with keynote remarks, as well as senior officials and representatives of domestic and international institutions, members of the CBK’s governing bodies, and other invited guests.

Governor Ismaili underlined that cooperation between the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo, and the Bank of Albania represents a strategic partnership encompassing regulatory harmonization, strengthening supervisory capacities, advancing financial education, and exchanging institutional expertise, in support of resilient financial sector development and the acceleration of European integration.

In this context, he highlighted the importance of reforms aimed at modernizing the payments infrastructure, including advancing the processes for integration into the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and developing instant payment systems, which directly contribute to facilitating financial transactions, supporting economic activity, and strengthening regional ties.

A distinct dimension of interinstitutional cooperation remains the promotion of financial education as a fundamental pillar for consumer protection and the strengthening of long-term financial stability.

In concluding his remarks, Governor Ismaili expressed his gratitude to the Bank of Albania, Governor Mr. Sejko, and all collaborators for their valuable contribution, as well as to the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo for their continued support in advancing the financial sector and the European integration agenda.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Kurti greeted those in attendance and praised the institutional cooperation between the two countries. He emphasized that this exhibition is a narrative of how our societies have built trust over the years, how institutions have been strengthened through challenges and efforts, and how the state is not merely a legal structure, but at the same time a relationship of commitment between citizens and their institutions. He further underlined that the relationship and cooperation between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Albania are neither accidental nor temporary, but rooted in a shared history and carried forward through the institutions of the two republics.

Governor Sejko praised the cooperation between the two central banks, including financial education activities, and stressed that the exhibition goes beyond institutional history by reflecting the daily lives of Albanians, how they have paid, saved, faced crises, and built aspirations for stability and well-being. He added that through documents, objects, images, and narratives, it comprehensively presents the country’s monetary and economic developments.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests were introduced to the exhibition materials presented by the staff of the Bank of Albania and participated in a guided tour of the exhibition premises. The exhibition will remain open at the CBK to a limited public throughout this week and aims to provide educational experience on financial and monetary matters.

The opening of the exhibition “Money Talks: 100 Years of Life and Events” in Pristina follows its presentation in Tirana, as part of the marking of the 100th anniversary of the Bank of Albania and the Albanian currency, and corresponds with the week marking the 26th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Kosovo, giving this event special institutional and historical significance.