LIGJET E BIZNESIT
By Aurora Sulce, Executive Producer for Business at A2 CNN
After the publication of the lists and their submission to the Central Election Commission, political parties must compete with programs, which include the initiatives they promise to undertake for citizens if they come to power.
The Socialists seek a fourth mandate, which implies the continuation of policies undertaken so far for citizens and businesses, while the Democrats have made their program public.
What do the parties promise in the field of taxes?
The Socialist Party sticks to the progressive tax with three brackets for salaries: 0%, 13%, and 23%. A 0% tax for small businesses. They have declared war on informality and promised the removal of tax exemptions, a recommendation from the International Monetary Fund.
The Democrats propose a completely different fiscal policy.
They promise the return of the flat tax at 10%; a 5% tax for priority sectors; 0% tax for businesses with a turnover up to 18 million lek per year; reduction of VAT for energy and food; review of all tax policies and stability in fiscal legislation, meaning that tax laws should not change frequently.
But the economy is not only about taxes. There are also policies that stimulate the development of sectors considered priorities and the economy as a whole.
The Socialists have recently approved the Mountain Package, which foresees the granting of land in mountain areas to investors at the price of 1 euro; the establishment of the Albanian Development Bank after its approval in parliamentary committees on Wednesday; continuing the digitalization of public services and using Artificial Intelligence in public procurement.
On the other hand, the Democrats promise radical changes in the country’s economic policies.
The PD’s economic program foresees the elimination of PPP contracts; 0% tax for the first 5 years for emigrants investing in Albania; full digitalization of services for businesses, simplifying procedures, and reducing corruption. The Democrats also commit to reforming the real estate market and listing corporations on the domestic stock exchange.
