Minister of Finances: “First electoral year with a surplus”

16/05/2017 00:00

The Minister of Finances, Arben Ahmetaj, responded to the Democratic
Party accusations that the only reason for the economic growth is that
there have been cannabis plantations.

“No country has ever flourished because of illegal activities. Foreign and local investments brought the economic growth, employment, increased inner demand and trust created by all actors to the Albanian economy”, Ahmetaj said.

For the Minister, this is what has also improved the position of the Albanian ALL against Euro. “Don’t forget that in 2016 we had 1.5 billion EUR from tourism”, Ahmetaj said.

In 2016, the economic growth increased with 3.5%. This year the government expects it to reach 3.8%. Ahmetaj said that the government now can reduce taxes, especially for high salaries.

“Now that we have overcome the crisis, and because we are consolidating finances even in an electoral year, we will reduce the progressivity for salaries above 130.000 ALL”, Ahmetaj said.

But the Minister added that the political crisis is a real risk for the economy: “The protest tent of the opposition is the main enemy for our citizens’ welfare”, Ahmetaj said.

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