Positive assessment of the economy by "Standard and Poors", Minister Mete: We have strong finances, foreign investments reached 700 million euros

The positive assessment of Albania's economy by the Standard and Poor's agency, for the Minister of Finance Ervin Mete, shows the progress the country has made in the management of public finances. Yesterday, in a statement to the media, he stated that the rating agency gives an assessment that may affect the cost or interest of the country in borrowing. "Rating agencies collect and analyze information on economic data, GDP, inflation, policies fiscal and monetary, political stability and other important institutional factors, judge how the country manages its finances, if it has an institutional stability, as well as the progress of the economy and reforms. Based on these analyses, the evaluation agency gives an evaluation that may affect the cost or interest of the country in borrowing", said Mete. Among others, Mete estimates that the agency's decision-making after 7 years, classifies Albania in the group of countries with strong public finances. "Yesterday, the 'Standard and Poor's' agency revised upward the perspective for Albania, from a stable to a positive perspective, confirming the B+ rating. This revision, after almost seven years, is a step towards the group of countries considered to have stronger public finances. Standard and Poor's assessment is a reflection of economic policies, prudent fiscal management and positive efforts in the implementation of structural reforms and the European integration process. In particular, the reduction of the level of public debt and the progress of reforms have been an important factor for this positive assessment", said the minister. In a statement to the media, Mete also made a summary of the country's economic indicators throughout this year, starting from the drop in inflation, the increase in employment and the positive performance of foreign investments. "The improved assessment is an indicator of the progress and positive trend of the Albanian economy. Economic growth has remained stable and relatively high, nearly 4% in annual terms, despite the difficulties the world economy is facing. Inflation returned to a downward trend within a relatively short period of time, reaching 4% in August 2023. Unemployment reached historic lows of 10.7% at the end of the second quarter of this year, while labor market participation of work has improved significantly. Foreign investments continue to grow at a fast pace, reaching nearly 700 million euros in the first 6 months of 2023.