Tourism & Events Push: Albania’s government defended about €4mn in state support for a July 11 Kanye West (Ye) concert in Tirana, saying it will draw tens of thousands of visitors and boost the events industry, as preparations ramp up for a temporary stadium setup. Protected Coast Under Pressure: MEPs and environmentalists warned that the Kushner-linked luxury resort in the Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape could set a “gate-opener” precedent for more construction in protected wetlands. NATO Finance for Industry: Albania is among nine countries backing Canada’s Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB), aimed at unlocking long-term, low-cost financing to expand defence industrial capacity, with operations targeted for 2027. Local Defence Procurement: Türkiye’s MKE BORAN 105mm howitzer was exported to Albania, with an agreement for six systems and ammunition—another step for NATO-aligned capability building. Workforce & Skills: Albania issued about 14,000 first-time work permits in 2025, with foreign hiring rising across services, manufacturing, agriculture and engineering-related roles. HSEQ Consulting Expansion: Technique Works opened a Tirana office to serve clients across the Western Balkans with workplace risk, health, safety, environment and quality services. Macroeconomic Outlook: The IMF projects Albania will grow faster than the EU and eurozone through 2031, averaging 3.19% annually. Growth Model Debate: A new analysis argues Albania’s economy is increasingly construction-dependent, raising concerns about productivity and illicit financial flows.