Albania old vehicle import ban met with protests by local traders

TIRANA, Dec. 3 – A government decision banning the import of second-hand vehicles older than 10 years and forcing them to pay all taxes for their stock of unsold cars, has been met with protests by thousands of traders who fear bankruptcy over what they call unaffordable extra costs they will have to incur and an expected sharp decline in sales due to much more expensive cars offered for sale. While the government says the decision will curb pollution from car emissions and make the country’s vehicle fleet younger, traders claim the decision will considerably reduce the sale of second-hand…