The Minister of Economy and Finance, Delina Ibrahimaj, in a media conference, has made public a balance regarding the economic performance in the country. The minister said that in the first 3 months of the year, the public debt has decreased.
' In the first quarter, debt to GDP was 63.27% of GDP from 64.58% that was at the end of 2022. According to the structure, the largest weight is in external debt. Here I want to emphasize the importance of the exchange rate. The debt is identified and received in euros, the exchange rate has brought a decrease in the public debt ," said Ibrahimaj.
Minister Delina Ibrahimaj emphasized that the price situation of hydrocarbons in the country is moving towards normalization. Ibrahimaj said that the normalization of prices could lead to the dissolution of the Transparency board.
The Transparency Board is in effect. Based on performance analysis and price analysis. Based on the decisions of the CJK, the board will have another legal form for the closure of the board's activity. The price situation in the hydrocarbon market has returned to normal. It has been an instrument that has helped in achieving and keeping fuel prices under control. I wish that the fuel prices are normalized, in order to get out of the board regime ,' said the minister.
The minister emphasized that there was an increase in employment in the construction sector and a decrease in the service sector.
' We have had an increase in the profit tax by 22.5%. Income tax has increased by 9.5%. social insurance contributions have increased by 14.8%. The production sector had an increase of 31%. We had an increase in employment in the construction and production sector, while we had a decrease in the service sector. We have had growth in the trade sector. The service sector continues to occupy the largest share in employment. Regarding the financing of consumption and salaries, we expect that salaries will continue to increase at the end of 2022, the average salary was 66 thousand ALL. We expect that in the second 6 months there will be a significant increase. Debt figures have continued to be positive. - said the minister.
Regarding imports, the minister said that for the first time after a long period, imports have increased more in volume than in value.
' Imports for the first time after a long period have increased more in volume than in value. Import prices have started to slow down. Imports in volume increased by 6.9% while in value by 0.4%. Exports have increased both in value and volume. - said Ibrahimaj.