TIRANA, April 28 /ATA/- Albania is far from the Greek scenario and its economy is following an upward trend towards its real potential.
Minister of Finance and Economy, Arben Ahmetaj, stated at the SP Assembly that the positive performance of Albanian economy is attributed to consumption, foreign and local investments.
Consumption in the last quarter, 2017 increased by 3.14% which is the highest raise in years, a testimony of increase in purchasing power and reduction of poverty in the country.
The minister added that positive indicators are mainly attributed to increase in exports, service sector and tourism which brought EUR 1.7 bn to Albanian economy last year, meanwhile this year it will generate roughly EUR 2 bn.
The minister touched on employment which has increased by 35% as of 2013.
There are over 200 thousand new job openings and according to computerized payroll system to date there are 667 thousand registered jobs. Employment in non-agricultural sector has increased significantly.
Citing international reports on employment, the minister said that Albania is rated the only country in the region where employment of active labour force reached 15 %.
Unemployment hit an all-time low of 13.4% at the end of 2017 and our target is to slash it to one-digit figure at the end of our second term of office.
As to the payment level, although a lot remains to be done in terms of citizens’ wellbeing, according to WB report Albania has seen the highest wage raise in the region.
Ahmetaj also spoke about the new role of labour offices which until April 20 have received 11 900 job offers and have recruited 6 247 persons.
“Economic growth and employment have lifted people out of poverty, he said.
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