AlbanianEconomy.comYour News from Albania
Central Bank urges Albanians to stay calm, Lek losses 3 per cent in two days
Albania Central Bank governor Ardian Fullani tried to calm Albanians cough by panic on Thursday, by the fast depreciation of Lek in the domestic market. “Markets should stay calm. What is happening has not economic bases. Lek will continue to be our currency for many-many years,” Fullani said in an unscheduled press conference.
Albanian Lek depreciation accelerates (Update)
Albanian currency Lek lost more then 3 per cent in two days causing panic in Tirana. Euro changed hands for as much as 138.6 lek in early morning on Thursday, 1.7 per cent higher then Wednesday.
Albania’s PM Eyes Eurozone Bid
Prime Minister Sali Berisha says that Albania will reluctantly set its sights on inclusion in the eurozone, due to the pressure exerted by the European currency on the local economy.
Macedonian Media Praise EVN Ruling
The decision of Skopje’s Appellate Court to overturn a ruling ordering Austria’s EVN to pay Macedonia’s state-owned power generator, ELEM, 200 million euros, is the most positive corruption-related event in August, local media say.
Another Company Sues Macedonia
Serbia’s Swisslion is the second company this year to take Macedonia to the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Court of Arbitration in Washington DC.
EBRD Mulls Loan to Serbian Gas Company
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, EBRD, is considering providing a €150 million loan to Serbia’s state gas company, Srbijagas.
Albania Pushes for Dual Level VAT
The government of Albania intends to apply a dual-level value added tax, VAT, on goods and services to increase the number of companies that pay such taxes.
EU Comments on Albania’s Elections
The EU has welcomed a monitoring group’s assessment that the June Albanian elections met most OSCE commitments, while noting the conduct of the polls fell short of optimum standards.
US Urges Albania to Improve Poll Standards
In a Wednesday statement, the US embassy in Tirana welcomed reported improvements in electoral processes during the June 28 parliamentary polls.
Report Boosts Albania’s European Prospects
The EU considers that Albania is now in a more favourable position to move ahead with its European integration processes.
