TIRANA, April 9 /ATA-By Maela Marini/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama on Thursday defended Albania’s construction sector against allegations of money laundering, saying it is a key driver of economic and social transformation and reflects rising investor confidence.
Speaking at a meeting with business representatives on wage growth, alongside Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj, Rama rejected criticism that the sector is being used for illicit financial activity. He said the expansion in construction is supported by genuine demand from residents and foreign buyers.
“You can criticise the government, but you cannot deny the country’s progress,” Rama said, arguing that newly built apartments are being occupied and contributing to economic activity rather than serving as vehicles for money laundering.
Rama said foreign direct investment had increased significantly over the past decade, rising from around 300-400 million euros annually to more than 1.5 billion euros, with international interest in Albania’s property market continuing to grow.
He added that the construction sector was helping to boost overall economic output and living standards, citing an increase in gross domestic product to about 27 billion euros, up from less than 10 billion euros a decade ago, and a rise in per capita income to more than 11,000 euros.
According to Rama, the sector also supports broader development by encouraging business activity, improving infrastructure and making the country more attractive to both domestic and foreign investors. He linked these trends to Albania’s ambitions for European Union membership, saying development in housing and services reflects the standards expected of an EU economy.
“These are not crime scenes, but evidence of a major transformation,” Rama said.
/j.p/u.sh/
