In a joint statement, the organisations condemned attacks on public institutions, banks, shopping centres, buildings and business representative offices.

The signatories included the Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Albanian Agribusiness Council (KASH), Albanian Manufacturing, the Builders Association, the Albanian Tourism Association, the Dairy Processing Industry Association (IPQ), the Albanian Food Industry Association, the Medicinal Plants Association and the Association of Professional Businesswomen and Craftswomen.

They stressed that peaceful protest was a fundamental right that state institutions must guarantee, while violence, arson and destruction of property were unacceptable.

The organisations warned that property damage affected not only businesses but also their employees, customers and the wider urban economy.

The chamber and the business associations called on the State Police and relevant institutions to take preventive measures, ensure an adequate presence in vulnerable areas and intervene promptly to prevent violence and destruction.

At the same time, they said police operations must be professional, proportionate and lawful, while safeguarding peaceful protesters, members of the public, business employees and police officers.

Those responsible for violent acts, they added, should be identified and held individually accountable, without collectively blaming citizens who exercise their right to protest peacefully.

The organisations also urged protest organisers and political parties to clearly distance themselves from violence, call for calm and help preserve the peaceful nature of demonstrations.

They called for all damage to be fully documented and for authorities to establish direct communication with affected businesses to facilitate reporting, investigations and the relevant legal procedures. The Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it was ready to work with institutions to identify business concerns and strengthen protective measures.

/gj.m/r.e/u.sh/

In his remarks, Finance Minister highlighted importance of the consultation on the revenue strategy with the relevant interest groups, including commerce chambers and business community so that a comprehensive document is finalized and its efficient implementation is ensured.

Finance Minister noted that the proposed strategy consists of three main pillars: the review of tax policies, good tax administration and customs administration.

The strategy outlines detailed reforms and tax policies, well management of tax and custom to deliver on a 2.5% increase in tax revenue collections as a share of the GDP in the coming four years.

The key tax and administrative reforms included in the Medium-Term Revenue Strategy have been drafted through assistance of the International Monetary Fund, based on the European Union directives, taxation policies and customs management.

According to the Strategy, the tax revenue collections will be generated by the increase in revenues from fiscal policies by about 0.33% of GDP, the increase in revenues from good tax administration, with 1.96% of GDP and increased revenue from good customs administration, with 0.17% of GDP.

The strategy proposes a revision of the taxation and tax policies on consumption, as well as property tax rates.

/r.e/u.sh/