Prime Minister presents government priorities for 2007

TIRANA, Jan. 5 – In the first government’s meeting Friday last week Prime Minister Sali Berisha presented his cabinet’s objectives and priorities for 2007. the premier said that creating better servies for the citizens was a top priority especially in the spheres of education, employment and health services. Privatizing those services remaiend a priroity this year in an effort to increase their quality and also fight corruption. Every ministry was advised to simplify the brueacratic procedires, especially those of business. “Economy is in a sustainable growth,” he said adding that could be from 6-8 percent. The consumer price indexes were enthusiastic and positive. Applying big projects remained vital for the countr’s development, he said, which are roads, ports and in general better conditions for the citizen. The government has set higher funding in its budget for cosntruction. It has also approved a direct procurement procedure, in accordance with the European Union, and also passed the law on concessions and private public partnershtip. “We should speed up reforms,” he said. Health was a main topic of concern. The prime minsiter said the government should do the utmost to promote private sector in the health service. The government would also undertake a considerable financial support in the health service. Another issue would be the property restitution. The authorities have started restitution in Tirana and Kavaja and much needs to be done for the other areas. Berisha said they would strongly support the ALUIZNI, the agency in charge of the restitution process, and other authorities. “All reforms we will take aim mainly at integrating our country into the NATO and the European Union,” said Berisha.
Despite the difficulties by the energy crisis the government aims at having a 6 percent GDP growth this year mainly with increase in construction, transport and industry. The GDP in 2007 is expected to be 982.2 billion leks from 899.7 billion leks in 2006.
The government meeting took some decisions, like that of ratifying the 4.4. million euro loan with the EBRD on improving the business envioronment and the isntitutional strengthening.For the same project the government approced the other part of funding of 2.5 million SDR from the World Bank’s Intenrational Financial Agency.
The government also decided to ban the use of petrol which is below the required environmental standards with more than 0.005 grams/liter of lead and diesel. But that would start from Jan. 1, 2009. Fuel has been a main cause of pollution in the post-communist country, which has had a significant increase of the vehicle. Private vehicles were banned during the former communist regime.