Opposition, gov’t clash over economic situation

TIRANA, Sep. 20 – The opposition Socialist Party (SP) denounced this week what it called the critical situation in unemployment and small businesses blaming government for its fiscal policies, accusations which were rejected by the Finance Ministry.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, SP MP Ilir Beqja said Albania currently numbers some 1 million jobless people while small and big businesses were suffering from falling purchasing power.
“This is proved not only by the unemployment rate, 1 million people, but also by tax directorate data. Revenues collected by the value added tax have dropped by 12 percent compared to the previous year. This is the most direct indicator of Albania’s living standards,” said the MP of the biggest opposition party, also denouncing price increases in basic food basket because the recent inclusion in the excise tax scheme of glass and plastic packaging.
Reacting to SP’s accusations, the Finance Ministry described Beqja’s declarations about the country’s situation and the public finances as untrue.
A spokesperson for the Finance Ministry said central government budget revenues during the first eight months of this year were 6 percent higher than last year and that the poorest performance was registered by local government, including Tirana Municipality run by Socialist Party leader Edi Rama.
According to ministry, the flow of goods has increased while the economic growth “which remains the highest in region has made possible the employment of 14,000 new workers.”