TIRANA, Oct. 12 /ATA/ – The government has launched an online price transparency and comparison platform and a related initiative aimed at keeping prices unchanged on selected goods until Jan. 12, 2027, Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Monday, as part of the efforts to ease pressure on household budgets.
The “Price Transparency” platform and the “Save” (KURSE) initiative have been launched in cooperation with supermarkets and suppliers, initially lists 238 products across 13 categories, allowing consumers to compare prices and make more informed purchasing decisions.
Speaking at the launch, PM Rama said the initiative had been made possible through cooperation between the government and businesses, stressing the need for companies to look beyond short-term profits amid rising costs and economic pressures worldwide.
“I am very pleased that we have achieved this first objective without needing anything more than mutual understanding,” Rama said. “Ultimately, this is a time when we need to look beyond daily profits.”
The government head said the broader economic pressures affecting countries worldwide called for closer cooperation between sellers and consumers.
“Against the backdrop of general economic pressures, which are not attributable to domestic factors but are affecting the entire world, and amid rising costs overall, we need to move beyond the traditional dividing line between sellers and buyers,” he said.
Five major food retailers in Albania have agreed to offer a range of products at reasonable prices that will remain unchanged until Jan. 12 next year, Rama said, without specifying the products covered by the agreement.
The initiative is intended to expand over time, with the government seeking to bring more businesses on board, including smaller retailers and local shops.
Rama also warned against unlawful price increases, saying legislation provides for fines in cases where price speculation is established.
He thanked the participating companies and their representatives, adding that the government would continue to encourage broader participation in the scheme.
/gj.m/u.sh/
