Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu has outlined Albania’s proposed €10 billion budget for 2027 in an exclusive interview with RTSH journalist Sonila Agostini. She highlighted social protection, tax relief and support for pensioners, young families and students. Koçiu said the budget aims to improve public services, fund critical infrastructure and support Albania’s European integration.

The fiscal package proposes cutting value-added tax to 6% on 54 essential goods. Koçiu estimated that a product currently costing ALL 120 could fall to ALL 106. Meanwhile, the government plans to double monthly pension bonuses in 2027. Bonuses for full pensions would rise from ALL 1,800 to ALL 3,600, while those for rural pensions would increase from ALL 1,000 to ALL 2,000. The government aims to raise the minimum pension to ALL 40,000 by 2029.

Students from low-income families would receive ALL 25,000 a month, up from ALL 10,000. Other measures include after-school programmes until 17:00 and 4,000 subsidised housing loans for young families. Koçiu also cited 12 million tourists and positive International Monetary Fund assessments of Albania’s public debt. The proposed budget is expected to go to parliament for approval.

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