Albania will make basic product prices more transparent for consumers through the new “PriceWatch Albania” platform. The government plans to launch the platform in September.
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said today that the platform will allow citizens to view and compare the prices of basic products. They will also be able to identify where they can buy each product at the lowest price.
“Basic product prices can no longer remain a matter of opinion. Citizens want to know how much a product costs and where they can buy it more cheaply,” Ibrahimaj said.
Furthermore, the platform will publish transparent reports from businesses that sell products at wholesale and retail prices. It will give consumers a clearer picture of the market.
However, the new system will do more than simply publish prices. It will also analyze how prices develop along the supply chain, from imports or production to the point of sale.
“We need to understand where price increases occur and, of course, intervene where they happen to prevent abuse,” the minister said.
For example, Ibrahimaj pointed to differences in tomato prices. She noted that sellers can offer the same product at different prices in different cities.
“The government has neither the right nor the means to set prices. However, it can monitor the market and create transparency,” Ibrahimaj said.
Meanwhile, similar mechanisms in other European countries have helped reduce prices in real terms. They have also increased transparency and helped consumers compare different offers.
“PriceWatch Albania – Pasqyra e Çmimeve” will also integrate into “PasqyrAlbania”. The platform will serve both Albanian consumers and foreign visitors.
“Prices must be visible, comparable and transparent for every citizen,” Ibrahimaj stressed.
Finally, the minister said that market forces determine prices in a free economy. At the same time, institutions must ensure transparency, monitor the market and provide consumers with reliable information.
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