The Bank of Albania increases the lek interest rate by 0.5%, bringing it to the level of 2.75%. This is the fifth increase for this year. At this level, interest rates are the highest in 9 years. 

The decision was taken this Wednesday at the next meeting of the Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania, influenced by the high and still increasing level of inflation. 

The Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania decided: 

-increase the base interest rate to 2.75% from 2.25% 
-increase the one-day deposit interest rate at the Bank of Albania to 1.75% from 1.25% 
-to increase the one-day loan interest rate at the Bank of Albania to 3.75% from 3.25%. 

The governor, Gent Sejko, said that inflationary pressures are increasing and their base is expanding. Sejko underlined once again that inflation is now being transmitted more and more in those items where the added value is mostly created in the country. According to him, inflation is the main risk for the growth prospects of the country's economy and the increase in interest rates is necessary to control the increase in prices.