One Year of Implementation: CCIT Continues Cross-Border Cooperation through Interreg IPA South Adriatic

One year after the launch of its new projects under the Interreg IPA South Adriatic Programme 2021–2027, the Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIT) takes a look at the progress achieved through BRESTAT and HISTEK TEST, bringing together partners from Albania, Italy and Montenegro.

Launched on 1 July 2025, both initiatives have now moved from partnership building and coordination towards more concrete implementation, addressing two important areas for businesses: better data for informed decision-making and technical skills aligned with labour-market needs.

BRESTAT – better business data for better decisions

Within BRESTAT – Business Register Empowerment of STATistics, CCIT acts as Lead Partner, coordinating a partnership of six organisations from Albania, Italy and Montenegro.

During its first year, the project has focused on analysing and comparing existing business data collection methods and sources across the three countries, laying the groundwork for more harmonised business statistics and common tools.

One concrete result from this phase is the analysis of Albanian entrepreneurship in Puglia, which identified 1,734 Albanian-born business owners, directors and shareholders active in companies across the region, representing an increase of 75.3% over the last decade.

This provides a practical example of BRESTAT’s wider ambition: turning business data into useful intelligence for companies, institutions and policymakers.

The next phases will move further towards harmonised business statistics, direct engagement with companies and the development of a shared digital platform and business database, improving access to and use of economic information across the South Adriatic area.

HISTEK TEST – connecting technical skills with real business needs

Through HISTEK TEST – High Specialized Technicians in KETs TEST, CCIT contributes to a cross-border partnership aimed at strengthening the connection between higher vocational education and training, companies and the labour market.

After its first year, the project is moving from models and methodologies towards practical testing, with a particular focus on mechatronics and predictive maintenance.

An important step has been the involvement of SMEs, allowing real company needs to contribute to the co-design of specialised training and the development of technical competences required by industry.

Through cooperation among partners in Albania, Italy and Montenegro, HISTEK TEST aims to contribute to the preparation of more highly specialised technicians and to build a stronger connection between the skills developed through education and the skills businesses actually need.

From the first year to shared results

After one year of implementation, both BRESTAT and HISTEK TEST are entering an increasingly practical phase.

For CCIT, participation in the Interreg IPA South Adriatic Programme is an opportunity to bring Albanian businesses closer to European partners, develop new knowledge and tools and, most importantly, translate cross-border cooperation into results that can create practical value for the business community.

The cooperation continues – from data to skills, and from analysis to practical implementation.

BRESTAT and HISTEK TEST are co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg IPA South Adriatic Programme 2021–2027.

This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union and/or the Programme authorities.