The devaluation of the euro to the levels it has fallen, with an exchange rate of 110 lek, has made it difficult for manufacturing and exporting businesses that pay invoices in foreign currency.

Regarding to this concern, the Minister of Finance says that she will hold a conversation with the businesses, but the possibilities of taking measures to strengthen the European currency are very small.

On the other hand, not everyone loses from the strengthening of the lek and the drop of the euro. For example, the public debt has managed to decrease significantly in the first 3 months of 2023.

“In the first quarter, the debt to GDP (Gross domestic product) was 63.27%, from 64.58% that was at the end of 2022. According to the structure, the biggest debt is the external one. The debt is identified and received in euros, the exchange rate of the euro has brought a decrease in the public debt”, said the minister.

There is a general concern about the fluctuation of the euro, which Albania uses as a means of payment for many transactions, which for some is related to the extended tourist season, and others to the election campaign and informal money in the market.