In an interview for Top Channel’s program “Top Story”, the Minister of
Finances, Shkelqim Cani, explained the loan of the International
Monetary Fund by declaring that there is no condition for reducing
salaries or raising taxes. He says that this loan was taken due to the
difficult financial situation that was created in the Albanian budget,
which the new government found almost empty.
Top Story Host, Sokol Balla: How much did you find in the state’s budget?
Minister of Finances, Shkelqim Cani: Zero. If there are 100 million USD of unpaid bills, it means that you have nothing.
Sokol Balla: You are saying that economically we are close to 1997?
Shkelqim Cani: When we came to power on September 16th, it was exactly like that. In 1997 we had some reserves. This time we had nothing.
The Minister of Finances declared that the plan for the revenues has been exceeded. The International Monetary Fund loan might reach 1 billion USD in three years, and it is being used to pay the old and hidden debts. Cani mentioned the government’s loan in 2009, saying that its interests were the highest in the market, and for this reason he will file a criminal report against the former Minister of Finances.
“I will file a criminal report against Ridvan Bode, because he accepted a loan with an interest rate of 13.3%, when the market could offer better deals. He shouldn’t have taken that loan. There is without a doubt a violation of the procedures”, Cani declared.
The Minister of Finances explained that they have started huge structural reforms that will include several sectors, from social insurance to energy.
“All the conditions are only one third of the coalition’s program. Since we took power, we have declared that we aim making structural reforms. A government cannot base its entire work on debts”, Cani declared.
Cani added that the market losses and lack of rain might make the government intervene to keep the energy situation under control.
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