TIRANA, April 30 – A World Bank report forecasts a slowdown in Albania and the Western Balkans, raising concerns over growth prospects and social welfare. Speaking on “Mirëmëngjes Shqipëri” (“Good Morning Albania”), former Finance Minister Arben Malaj said international institutions projected continued growth but also highlighted structural weaknesses in the economy.
Meanwhile, he underlined that economic performance should not rely only on GDP figures. He stressed that sustainable development required job creation, lower public debt, and stronger resilience to external shocks, especially amid geopolitical tensions, energy pressures, and inflationary risks.
In addition, he drew attention to rising inequality, saying wealth concentration had deepened social gaps and increased poverty risks. He warned that this trend weakened social cohesion and created long-term structural challenges.
At the same time, he argued that tourism alone could not sustain economic growth without stronger agriculture and domestic production. He called for increased investment in infrastructure, productive sectors, and entrepreneurship, alongside more results-oriented public policies.
Finally, he said education and public health remained decisive for long-term competitiveness, as both shaped productivity and economic resilience over time.
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