Confindustria has called on the government to intervene immediately to curb the increase in fuel prices, arguing that the price hikes of recent days are unjustified.
Confindustria has proposed reducing taxes by at least 15%, restoring the Transparency Board, immediate checks on fuel quality, and strengthening the fight against smuggling.
According to her, oil prices in Albania are significantly higher than in countries in the region and in many EU countries, increasing costs for citizens, businesses and domestic production.
NOTICE
Confindustria, taking cause from the strong and unjustified increase in fuel prices in the last 10 days of July and onwards, demands immediate regulatory intervention by the government in 4 directions.
First, a reduction of at least 15% in the tax burden on fuels is required. The above should result in at least a 20 lek/liter reduction in retail prices. Italy and Germany have immediately implemented 15-20% reductions in fuel taxes with direct effect on the market.
Secondly, it is required at the same time to re-establish the Transparency Board in order to ensure that the possible tax reduction is fully passed on to citizens and businesses and not to fuel operators. The fuel market in Albania is a typical monopoly and pure oligopoly market.
Third, institutions are required to immediately control the quality of fuels circulating on the market. There is evidence that large quantities of fuel outside the Euro 3 standards have been released onto the market with serious consequences for health, the environment, cars and the state budget.
Fourth, the extraordinary intervention of state institutions and SPAK is required to combat fuel smuggling, which has resulted in hundreds of millions of euros in damage to the state budget. The crackdown by the Kosovo authorities on the smuggling lines of fuel transit from Albania, which resulted in Kosovo customs being filled with water, is a clear given.
Retail oil prices in the local market have long been at the level of 2.15-2.2 euros/liter, significantly higher than in the countries of the region and many EU countries. The above brings an additional strong and devastating blow to industries, local production and citizens./Top Channel