Tirana, October 17 – Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj, in the segment “Economy Speaks with Facts”, commented on data about the economic situation of Albanian families and government fiscal policies.

She questioned a figure claiming that 55% of Albanians cannot make ends meet and noted the absence of such data in INSTAT, the Bank of Albania, and the World Bank.

Official data, according to her, indicate clear economic improvement. Salaries increase at an unprecedented rate, and the minimum wage doubles in less than five years. Consumption and savings grow steadily. Prices rise, but salaries rise faster. The Bank of Albania confirms the lowest inflation rate in the region over the past two years.

Ibrahimaj listed several measures that, in her view, support families and small businesses. Public education remains free, and textbooks for basic education are subsidized. Electricity prices for households stay stable or decrease in certain cases. Public transport costs remain almost unchanged. Small businesses face zero tax, and only 27% of entities apply VAT. About 99% of small businesses benefit from profit tax exemption, equal to 17 billion Lek kept within small enterprises. Individuals earning up to 50,000 Lek per month face no tax burden.

The minister said the government continues to raise both minimum and average salaries, following the principle that those earning less pay less. She admitted that conditions are not perfect but affirmed commitment to steady improvement, stressing that the economy speaks through measurable results.

/a.p./