IMF vs. price boards: Replace them with support for the poor

2022-05-19 19:04:10Biznes SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

IMF vs. price boards: Replace them with support for the poor

The International Monetary Fund advises the Albanian government to give up price control boards and instead use additional vat and other tax revenues from rising prices to help layers in need.

With a softened language, the IMF names boards and the allocation of ceiling prices as dysfunctional and with major challenges.

"Taking into account the challenges of the transparency board that monitors basic food prices, we are looking at replacing this board with well-distributed support for the poor and layers in need with the aim of protecting them from the effects of rising food prices", it says in the statement the IMF mission issued after traditional spring observation.

The IMF says price increases in Albania will last until 2024. In terms of taxes, the mission values their failure to be fair. If taxes were lowered at the moment, according to the IMF, those who would benefit the most would be the rich.

The statement also urges caution with debt and suggests that additional government revenues be used in this direction as well.

 


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