The IMF officials: Albania’s economy will grow by 3% during 2015

Despite the risks the current domestic and international economic situation represents, the Albanian economy will increase by 3% during this year. The announcement was made at the press conference held by the Ministry of Finances, the Bank of Albania and the representatives of the IMF to Albania, headed by Nadeem Ilahi.

Ilahi declared that the program for the economic growth of Albania during this year is performing as it was planned before, since the economy is expected to grow by 3%. “We are aware of the massive flooding in southern of the country and the decrease of oil price, two key elements that restrain the economic growth but we have noticed a recovery of the internal system. The fiscal performance has been in accordance with the program but the non performing loans still represent a problem. We expect the government to engage in providing a solution to this issue and we support this coordinated program that is being implemented and that will have positive effects in the economy”, declared the Chief of the IMF mission to Albania Nadeem Ilahi.

During the conference, Ilahi also declared that the reform in the energy sector must continue since it is performing well after the reduction of losses in the system.

Present in the conference was also the Minister of Finances Shkelqim Cani who declared that the economy and finances of the country are in the right path. “The undertaken reforms and measures by the government have reduced the risks of the economy. The war against fiscal evasion and informality will continue,” declared Cani. The same opinion regarding the continuance of the energy reform was shared also by the Minister of Economic Development Arben Ahmetaj and the Bank of Albania’s Governor Gent Sejko.

News source/photo credits: Shqiptarja.com