The government forgets its promises for VAT-free diesel

Durr쳬 June 3 – Fishermen are in doubt about whether the government is going to keep its promises to supply Albanian fishermen with VAT-free diesel (known as red or yellow diesel). The government promised, almost a month ago, but nothing has changed at the gas pump. Albanian fishermen are obliged to buy VAT-free diesel in Italian or Greek harbours where they sell their first-quality fish caught each day. Almost 75 percent of all fishing boats have stopped going to sea or have reduced their activity. Klodian Kapiti, a skipper and owner of two fishing boats said, “We have contacted two members of parliament and members of the Parliamentary Committee on Economy and we have discussed with them our problems. They informed us that Parliament has yet to received the draft law on VAT-free diesel from the government”.
Only iron hull fishing boats, around 25 in all, which can cross to Italy or Greece and buy cheap diesel there, are still going to sea. The rest, over 80 wooden hull boats, have not ventured out of the small harbour since the price of diesel passed ALL 150 per litre. Many fishermen are looking to replace their wooden boats for more modern iron-hull boats. However, such boats cost over Euro 300,000 and few of them have the means to do that. (Tirana Times Staff)