The Ministry of Finances has sent to the Assembly a draft law for the increase of duty free shops in terrestrial and marine border points, which soon will be discussed in respective parliamentary Commissions.
Sources from Ministry of Finances say that the increase of duty free shops is in correlation with the needs for the economic development of terrestrial and marine border points, which will contribute in the opening of new terrestrial and marine border crossing points for trade and touristic purposes.
Some of the benefits from duty free shops are the circulation of foreign currencies or Albanian Lek in the domestic market, thus affecting in the growth of economic operators located in border points and helps local economies.
Another important benefit that comes from the increase of duty free shops is the boost of competition among duty free shops inside the Albanian territory and those of neighbor countries. This, according to experts, may transform duty free shops into attractive centers for tourists since it is proved that these “free of taxes” services affect in the increase of tourists, especially when they can buy luxury products (watches, bags, shoes, ect.).
The purchase of goods in duty free shops located near border checkpoints may ease the procedures for officials of Albanian Customs since these goods will not be subject of check-ins.
The current law of Custom Code predicts that duty free shops may be open only in airports but it also foresees that Minister of Finances has the right to authorize the opening of these shops in terrestrial and marine border points for the sale of products.
News source/photo credits: ATA, Neil Bird (Flickr)
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