Minister of Finance, Petrit Malaj, stated on Thursday that the main economic indicators for the first quarter of 2026 show positive growth.

According to him, the increase in income, the improvement of fiscal administration, the higher formalization of the economy, as well as the increase in employment and business activity, are indicators that confirm this performance.

The Minister emphasized that the total income for the period January-March 2026 reached Lek 205.1 billion, or approximately Euro 2 billion, representing a realization rate of 105.8% of the plan. Compared to the same period in 2025, Malaj said, the income has increased by 13.3%, or about Euro 250 million more.

Meanwhile, in relation to the plan, approximately Euro 110 million more than anticipated has been collected. The Minister noted that this increase is not a result of tax increases, but rather a result of improved tax and customs administration, as well as more correct implementation of the medium-term revenue strategy.

According to him, the revenues collected by the tax administration reached Lek 77.7 billion, or Lek 7.1 billion more than in the first quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, VAT revenues were realized at Lek 25.2 billion, with an increase of 19.4% compared to the previous year. And the profit tax was realized at 115% of the plan for this period.

Regarding social and health insurance contributions, Malaj informed that they reached Lek 45.7 billion, with an increase of about Euro 37 million, or 8.9% more than in the first quarter of 2025.

According to the minister, this positive performance is supported by the expansion of the contributor base and the increase in salaries in both the public and private sectors.

Meanwhile, the minister announced that general public expenditures for the first quarter of 2026 reached about Lek 156 billion, being realized at 92.9% of the plan and being 5.9% higher, or about Lek 8.7 billion more compared to the same period in 2025.

Current expenditures reached Lek 150.7 billion, or 95.4% of the plan, while capital expenditures were realized at Lek 5.3 billion, or 52.6% of the plan.

Malaj also noted that during the first quarter of this year, 13,825 more new employees were registered compared to the same period in 2025.

This increase in the number of employees, Malaj said, is an indicator of the strengthening of the labor market and a positive result of the awareness campaigns undertaken by the tax administration in the private sector. The minister also stated that during this period, there has been an increase in the declaration of salaries in all sectors of the economy.

Malaj also said that the government is monitoring the market to observe price movements and will intervene if necessary, supporting the most vulnerable groups, such as pensioners and families receiving economic assistance, in the event of price increases.

Malaj also said that the new initiative "Double your enterprise" will be presented very soon.

Malaj explained that discussions and negotiations are currently underway with the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, the Bank of Albania, and second-tier banks on the terms and conditions of the loan for this mechanism.