TIRANA, November 6 – The Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania decided today to keep the key interest rate for the Lek unchanged at 2.5%.

Governor Gent Sejko said at a press conference that the decision followed discussions on recent economic and monetary developments and their expected outlook.

He added that the Council also decided to maintain the overnight deposit rate at 1.5% and the overnight lending rate at 3.5%.

Sejko stated that the Albanian economy continues to grow, while key parameters of economic, monetary, and financial stability remain solid.

He noted a slight rise in inflation during the third quarter, though it stays low and below the Bank’s target.

“Financial markets have remained generally calm, and lending has increased. The flexibility we have shown through ongoing coordination with fiscal policy and exchange rate performance has created an accommodative monetary environment for credit growth, consumption, and investment,” Sejko said.

He expected the economy to maintain similar trends in the coming period. “Economic growth is projected to stay close to current levels in the medium term, while inflation is forecast to return to target in the first half of next year,” he concluded.

/a.p./