TIRANA, February 19/ATA/ Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku presented today in the Assembly the draft law “On excise duties in the Republic of Albania”, as amended.
Tabaku said that, “Albanian products cannot be sold in Albanian markets or abroad due to a failed economic model.”
“The latest data presented by INSTAT show a record level of decline in exports that have shrunk by 4.5%, energy has fallen by 2.9%, textiles have fallen by 5.8%, food by 2%”, said Tabaku.
According to Tabaku, this shows that Albanian products are no longer being sold.
The DP MP underlined that for 11 years, there has been heard propaganda about Made in Albania products.
“Patriotism is measured by the excise bill that businesses receive at the end of the month. In 2022, this government lifted the protective bandage for small producers for the product that I presented today, which is craft beer from small producers, who are 9 in total in Albania”, she continued.
“It was decided that a craft brewery that employs five people should pay the same excise tax as a giant that produces millions of liters. This is a blatant inequality. The EU directives clearly state that member states must apply reduced rates of up to 50% for small and independent producers”, emphasized Tabaku, while adding that Albania is the only country with a customs tax on raw materials in the range of 5-15%.
“Kosovo has zero tax; present-day Albania is no longer producing, no longer exporting.
“Agriculture, which a short time ago accounted for 20% of the gross domestic product, has dropped to 16%, while village products are thrown on the streets,” said Tabaku. /e.i/j.p/p.s./
