Business community demands lower advertising rates

TIRANA, July 7 – The business community has called on government to lower advertising taxes. Speaking at a meeting with the Business Consultative Council, Konfindustria’s director Gjergj Buxhuku said the advertising tax rates should lower by 4.5 times to the 2008 levels.
He suggested that advertising tax in Tirana should be from 10,000 to 15,000/m2 for Tirana and 5,000 lek/m2 for other towns and communes.
Economy Minister Dritan Prifti, who also chairs the Business Consultative Council, said the changes to the local taxes on advertising signs must not create monopolies.
The changes to the law will affect billboards over 12 square meters, whose current advertising rates are the same to those of 12 meter.
Minister Prifti accused Tirana Municipality of unfairly favouring one or two advertising companies, which is creating a monopoly situation.
The business community’s proposal’s will be Finance Ministry before being sent to government for approval.