Jorida Tabaku: Fuel is the main reason for rising prices; today we pay more for everything

In a video posted on social media, Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku commented on the high price of fuel in Albania and its direct impact on household finances and businesses.

According to Tabaku, rising fuel prices are reflected at every level of the economy, increasing transport costs, the prices of agricultural products and business expenses.

“The price of fuel is the main reason for rising prices. Today, we all pay more, from transporting children to the product on the farmer’s farm and every business that raises prices because of fuel costs,” the Democratic MP said.

Tabaku argued that the high price is linked not only to developments in international markets, but mainly to domestic factors. She listed the heavy tax burden as the first cause.

“Around 60% of the price of fuel consists of taxes that Albanians pay at the pump for every liter. This places the price of fuel in Albania among the highest in the region, and even among the highest in Europe,” Tabaku said.

Another problem, she said, is the concentration of the market and the fact that certain companies control several links in the supply and distribution chain.

“The second reason is related to the market and monopolies, and to the fact that a large portion of these businesses own every link in the chain,” the Democratic Party MP stressed.

Tabaku also criticized the lack of state control and oversight, saying that fuel has become a luxury product and that prices are pushing citizens to fill up outside the country.

“The lack of state control and oversight has turned fuel in Albania into a luxury product. This retail trading system has a stranglehold on the economy and its key sectors,” she said.

In conclusion, Tabaku called for the current system to be changed, saying that it burdens citizens, farmers, parents and businesses.

“This is the system we must change. It is the system from which Albanian citizens, farmers and parents who pay more for fuel suffer. This system must change, and it is one of the reasons why citizens have been protesting for more than 100 days,” Tabaku concluded.

STATEMENT:

The price of fuel is one of the main reasons for rising prices. Today, we all pay more: from transporting children to the product on the farmer’s farm and every business that is forced to raise prices because of the increased cost of fuel.

This increase is not so much imported as it is caused by domestic factors.

First, there are the taxes. Around 60% of the price of fuel consists of taxes, placing the price of fuel in Albania among the highest in the region, and even among the highest in Europe.

The second reason is related to the market and monopolies, as well as to the fact that a large portion of these businesses own every link in the chain.

The third reason is the lack of state control and oversight, which has turned fuel in Albania into a luxury product and forced Albanians to fill up across the border.

This is the system we must change. It is the retail trading system from which Albanian citizens, farmers and every parent who pays more for fuel suffer.

This system has a stranglehold on the economy and its key sectors. It must change, and this is one of the reasons why citizens have been protesting for more than 100 days.