Basket prices in focus — Rama: We won’t touch your profits, but everything has limits

Prime Minister Edi Rama met with representatives of supermarket chains and major suppliers as part of the initiative to increase transparency over product prices.

In his remarks, Rama stressed that the government does not aim to interfere with profits and said he understands the pressures entrepreneurs face, including costs and employee wages — but underlined that, in his view, there are limits when it comes to prices, calling for more transparency, especially for basic basket goods.

He said he understands the pressure entrepreneurs face, including costs and employee wages, but underlined that there are limits when it comes to the prices of vital products.

“We will not touch your profits. But Bank of Albania figures say domestic products here are priced outrageously. Undoubtedly, with much respect, you have your struggles. But don’t think I don’t know what it means to wake up in the morning with wages to pay — I respect that deeply. But I don’t believe there has been a more pro-business prime minister — yet everything has limits. And we are talking about vital basket products, not deodorant,” Rama said.

At the request of some businesses, Rama said a communication bridge could be built with all structures regarding concerns that may relate to taxes and customs. “It is valuable that beyond this matter for which we came — and apparently, at least when the government is in the room, silence is not always approval; it is also ‘I have nothing to say now, but we will meet again’ — I believe that on this occasion, we, the minister, the staff of the Ministry of Economy first and foremost, but also the tax and customs directors, have the opportunity to build a communication bridge with all structures for concerns that may relate to taxes and customs. We are ready to learn from you. Today we came for this; if this is resolved this easily, then thank goodness this became the occasion — apparently you have no problem here, you were all just waiting to lower prices; we are very pleased. If that happens, we will even give you medals. There may be other topics that concern you — then we sit down and discuss, so that you have more facilitations and do more business. More quantity, more facilitation, more quality — that is our duty,” the prime minister said.