Reform cuts inspectorates to 11

TIRANA, May 30 – A majority of members from the parliamentary economy committee approved a draft law this week which reforms the inspection system in the country– cutting the number of inspectorates from 36 to 11, in an effort to increase efficiency and cut costs for businesses. In a session where opposition lawmakers were not present because of the renewed parliamentary boycott following the May 8 local elections, the draft law was examined only by the majority deputies. The Parliament’s press office says the purpose of this reform is to increase the efficiency of inspection bodies in preventing risks, and to lower administrative burden and costs for business activity. Prime Minister Sali Berisha said a series of decisions would follow the law, which has not been approved yet, to set up the new inspection system under the new legal framework. “Their reduction from 36 to 11 or 12 inspectorates is one of the major elements of the new system which will create greater skillfulness in their operation,” said Berisha. The central inspectorate will be a body under the government authority with the task of supervising the inspectorates’ work and guaranteeing the transparency of their activity. One of its other main duties will be setting up an e-inspectorate system. Meanwhile, new inspectors will have the status of tax inspector. “This inspection system has started turning into a grave burden for businesses not only for costs, but also the time it takes businesses,” said Ministry of Economy officials earlier, admitting that bribes remain an issue.