Albania's consolidated budget was in surplus of Lek 33.4 billion (Dollar 353 million/Euro 331 million) in the first quarter of 2024, up 8% compared with the same period in 2023, Finance Ministry data showed on Tuesday. 
The growth rates of budget revenues slowed down in the first quarter of the year, as a result of the poor performance of March. 
Consolidated budget revenue rose 5% year-on-year to Lek 163.8 billion in the January-March period, whereas expenditures increased by 4.1% to Lek 130.4 billion, the Finance Ministry said in a statement, quoting preliminary figures. 
Tax revenue increased by 11.7% to Lek 99.4 billion, with value-added tax proceeds up 35.3% to Lek 17.5 billion. 
Customs revenues (revenues from import VAT, excise duties, customs taxes, and mining rents) totaled Lek 50 billion, Lek 2.2 billion or 4.7% more than the same period of 2023, as well as Lek 423 million or 0.8% less than the plan of customs revenue for the first quarter of 2024. 
Revenues from VAT on imports for the January-March period resulted in Lek 34.3 billion, Lek 1.3 billion or 4% more than the same period a year ago, as well as Lek 735 million or 2.1% less than the plan for the first quarter of 2024. 
Excise revenues were realized in the amount of Lek 13.1 billion, Lek 1 billion or 8.3% more than the same period of 2023, as well as Lek 329 million or 2.6% more than the excise plan for the first half of 2024. 
Revenues from mining rents in export were realized in the amount of Lek 722 million, Lek 105 million or 12.7% less compared to the same period of last year and realization in the amount of 91.7% compared to the plan for the first three months of 2024. 
Revenues from customs taxes have been collected in the amount of Lek 2 billion, Lek 10 million or 0.5% more than the first three months of 2023, as well as realization in the amount of 102.5% against the plan. 
Revenues from collected VAT (net) were realized in the amount of Lek 17.5 billion, Lek 4.6 billion or 35.3% more than the first three months of 2023, as well as Lek 447 million or 2.6% more than the plan. The income collected from the profit tax was realized in the amount of Lek 18.7 billion, Lek 3 billion, or 13.7% less than the first quarter of 2023, as well as Lek 363 million, or 2% more than the plan. 
Personal income tax was collected in the amount of Lek 15.3 billion, Lek 2 billion or 15.5% more than the first quarter of 2023, as well as Lek 131 million or 0.9% more than the plan. 
National taxes for the first quarter of the year reached Lek 10.3 billion, Lek 1.2 billion or 13.2% more than the same period of 2023, as well as Lek 11 million. 
The income collected from contributions for social and health insurance (administered by DPT), was realized in the amount of Lek 37.6 billion, Lek 5.5 billion or 17.2% more than the first quarter of 2023, as well as 102.4% realization of the plan. 
Albania's consolidated budget was in deficit of Lek 31.3 billion at the end of 2023, finance ministry data showed last month.