Energy Security & Oil/Gas Storage: Albania signed with Italy’s Eni a cooperation memorandum to study a National Energy Products Hub and feasibility for strategic oil and gas reserves, aiming to meet European energy-security standards and reduce exposure to market shocks. Card Payments Regulation: The Bank of Albania opened consultation on draft rules to cap interchange fees for card transactions (0.2% debit, 0.3% credit), targeting lower merchant costs. Infrastructure & Transport: Work is set to start on the Milot–Balldren Highway segment, including a new two-tube 850m tunnel, bridges, and traffic systems to ease congestion on the Adriatic-Ionian corridor. Agriculture Under Pressure: INSTAT reports Albania lost over 62,000 cattle in five years as rural shrinkage and weak farm support bite; meanwhile 2025 output reached 9.7m tons, with vegetables up but cereals and fruit down. Business Climate Watch: The AmCham Business Index fell sharply in 2025, with concerns centered on bureaucracy, corruption, fair competition, and the domestic political climate. Labour Market: Unemployment dropped to 8.4% in 2025 and wages rose to about 84,100 lekë, but gender gaps persist. Corruption Trial: Former president Ilir Meta asked the Special Court to summon 11 witnesses, including PM Rama, tied to alleged mining-law amendments benefiting a businessman. Protests vs Kushner-Linked Resort: “Flamingo Revolution” protests escalated around the Sazan/Zvernec luxury project, with construction disruptions and renewed calls to halt development in protected areas. Construction Industry Tech: Eco Buildings began a second-generation AI-enabled manufacturing line in Durrës to expand low-carbon wall panel production.