EU helps modernise Albania’s tax administration

TIRANA, April 4 – A Euro 2.2 million project funded by the EU has brought EU know-how from member states to assist Albania to complete its tax legislation and improve its working practices in line with those in EU Member States. The project also aims to introduce better use of information technology, to improve the efficiency and transparency of the tax administration for the benefit of legitimate businesses and the general public, say the EC Delegation in a statement.
The EU has long assisted Albania in improving its fiscal system. This project builds on the improvements achieved progressively in the past and comes in a more direct form with objectives and activities that are tailor-made to Albania’s specific needs. This twinning project between the Albanian authorities, the Swedish Tax Agency and the French Public Finances General Directorate is bringing to Albania experts from EU Member States to complete Albania’s fiscal legislation in this area in line with the EU one; to adopt internal audit procedures, aligned with EU standards; to support the Tax Investigation Department; to establish a well functioning IT Department and to improve the connectivity with all regional branches through a secure and reliable network.
During the presentation ceremony, the Head of the EU Delegation to Albania, Ambassador Ettore Sequi emphasized that transparent and efficient tax procedures are an important building block of the EU Internal Market, a huge market where the rules of the game are known, respected and business-friendly. Ambassador Sequi underlined that the “EU assistance to improve the fiscal system in Albania in line with EU standards is important in the framework of Albania’s integration into the EU family. More transparent and efficient procedures will benefit businesses and citizens who correctly pay their taxes in the expectation of receiving public services in return. At the same time, such modern systems will assist in the fight against corrupution and level the playing field for business to ensure fair competition.”
This Euro 2.2 million project started on 1 March, 2010 and will continue until February 2012. It is being implemented by the Swedish Tax Agency and the French Public Finances General Directorate.