TIRANA, April 10 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj met tourism businesses in Berat to discuss sector challenges and tax compliance. He was joined by Tax Administration Director General Ilir Binaj. The meeting focused on cooperation with tax authorities and progress in implementing the operational plan for the region.
During the discussion, Malaj highlighted the growing role of tourism in the national economy. In this context, he stressed the need for real formalisation of the sector. He called for accurate wage declarations and improvements in current pay levels. According to him, these steps will raise worker welfare and strengthen long-term security. At the same time, he linked formalisation to greater fiscal transparency and accurate reporting of business turnover.
Referring specifically to Berat, Malaj described the city as a success story for year-round tourism. However, he said stronger efforts are needed to ensure fair competition and improve service quality. He also pointed to the importance of raising wage standards across the sector.
Data presented at the meeting showed that 746 taxpayers operate in Berat’s tourism sector. Of these, only 50 are registered for VAT. The sector contributes around 2.3 percent of total VAT, with a value of about 16.5 million lek. Employment has increased by 11 percent, although wage structures and labour formalisation still require improvement.
Ahead of the tourism season, Malaj called for greater commitment to fair competition and long-term sustainability. He said formalisation and higher standards remain key to building trust and supporting economic growth. Business representatives, in turn, raised concerns about labour shortages, access to skilled workers, and the need for supportive policies.
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