TIRANA, Aug 3 /ATA/Konfindustria has urged the government to take immediate action to rein in rising fuel prices, calling for lower fuel taxes, the reinstatement of the Fuel Transparency Board, tighter fuel quality inspections, and intensified efforts to combat fuel smuggling.
Konfindustria said the request comes amid a sharp rise in fuel prices in the final 10 days of July, which it described as unjustified and said had continued into August.
The statement calls for a reduction of at least 15% in the tax burden on fuels. “Italy and Germany have immediately implemented 15-20% cuts in fuel taxes, with a direct impact on the market,” the statement said.
Konfindustria is also calling for the reinstatement of the Transparency Board to ensure that any potential fuel tax cuts are fully passed on to consumers and businesses, rather than being absorbed by fuel operators.
The organisation is also calling on institutions to immediately inspect the quality of fuels circulating on the market. “There are indications that large quantities of fuel below the Euro 3 standard have been placed on the market, with serious consequences for public health, the environment, vehicles and the state budget,” the statement said.
The organisation is also urging state institutions and SPAK to take urgent action against fuel smuggling, which it says has resulted in losses of hundreds of millions of euros for the state budget.
“The crackdown by Kosovo authorities on fuel smuggling routes used for transit from Albania, where consignments were found to contain water at the Kosovo customs point, provides clear evidence of the issue,” the statement said.
“Retail diesel prices in the domestic market have for some time remained at levels of €2.15-€2.20 per litre, significantly higher than in regional countries and many EU member states. This further places a heavy and damaging burden on industries, domestic production and citizens,” Konfindustria said in its statement.
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