Ministry of Finances and Economy (Albania) explained

Ministry of Finances and Economy
Native Name:Ministria e Financave dhe Ekonomisë
Type:Department
Preceding1:Ministry of Finances
Jurisdiction:Council of Ministers
Headquarters:Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard 3,
1001 Tirana, Albania
Minister1 Name:Petrit Malaj (PS)

The Ministry of Finances and Economy (Albanian: Ministria e Financave dhe Ekonomisë) is a department of the Albanian Government, responsible for matters relating to economic policy, the central government budget, taxes, banking, security and insurance, international economic work, central, regional and local government.

On 13 September 2017, the ministry was restructured by joining the Department of Economy, which was part of the Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Enterprise.

History

Early period

It is one of the first departments created immediately after the independence of the Albania as part of the Provisional Government of Ismail Qemali formed on 5 December 1912. The first minister of Finance was appointed Abdi Toptani, where under his leadership were established the first financial institutions of the country, such as the establishment of the Bank of Albania on 4 October 1913, although this lasted for a few months.[1] During the first government, the first fiscal laws were approved for customs tariffs, import and export taxes, etc.

With the start of the Second Balkan War and the separatist rebellions of Essad Pasha Toptani, the Great Powers offered the crown of Albania to Prince Wilhelm of Wied, which he accepted on 7 March 1914. In the governments formed by him, Gaqo Adhamidhi, and later Filip Noga were appointed Minister of Finance. Nothing significant in terms of finances happened, given the situation with the control in the territory and the rebellions of different areas during this period.

Only after the Congress of Lushnjë held from 28 to 31 January 1920 and after the mandate of the Delvina Government or as it is otherwise known National Government, the Ministry of Finances headquarters moved to Tirana. Ndoc Çoba was appointed Minister of Finances. During the following years, the so-called Financial Directorates were established in Shkodër, Durrës, Elbasan, Gjirokastër, Korçë, and Vlorë, as well as financial offices in other cities. Laws banning the export of gold, silver, and cereals also came into force. The Customs Directorate was also established and the collection of customs tariffs on goods began. Then the law on the minting of the first Albanian banknote. The merits for the financial reforms of these years have Ndoc Çoba, Ahmet Dakli, Kol Thaçi, as well as the first General Director of the Albanian Customs, Ahmet Boriçi.[2]

Zog Presidency and the Second Albanian Kingdom

With the overthrow of Noli's government, Ahmet Zogu returned to power for the second time. On 25 January 1925, the Constitutional Assembly proclaimed the Republic of Albania, until then de jure continued to be the kingdom proclaimed in 1914 by the Great Powers. On 1 February 1925, Ahmet Zogu was elected President of Albania, being at the same time the head of the executive power. During this time, he restored stability in the country, as well as enabled the signing of important economic, political, and military agreements that strengthened the position of Albania.

At the beginning of 1925, a series of developments started for the Albanian economy, both positive and negative. Initiatives began to organize joint-stock companies in the field of industry, construction, transport. In the same year, the first Albanian currency, the Albanian Franga, was created.[3] The introduction of foreign capital became the official policy of Zog's governments, which internally aimed to strengthen his power. He also used the granting of foreign capital concessions as a means of securing income for the regime, in the form of loans and rents, which was later thought of as a way out of the economic crisis.

Between 1925 and 1927 it is considered that 14 new companies were created, while in 1928, the number of enterprises reached 127. The domestic capital was 6 times larger than in 1927, making in this period partial stability of the economy was achieved.[4]

The main feature of this period is the conclusion of agreements between the government of Tirana and Italian financial groups to invest in the country. Thus, in 1925 between the Albanian government of that time and the Italian financial group was signed the loan agreement of S.V.E.A where 96.4% of it was used by the Ministry of Public Works for road construction. This was done not only for the economic needs of the country but to create conditions for the penetration of foreign capital.[5]

Trade was the main field of the Albanian economy. During this period the turnover of goods increased. Agricultural and livestock raw materials were mainly exported.

Many Italian, English, French and American companies began to be present in the Albanian economy through concession agreements or direct investments. Such as: SISMA (Societa Italiana Sfrutamento Miniere Albania); SEIA (Societa Electrica Italo-Albanese); ALBA (Azienda Lavori Boschi Albania); EIAA (Ente Italiano Attivita Agraria); SESA, which received the electricity concession in 7 cities in Albania; Anglo-Persian Oil Company; the American company Standard Oil Co.; Franco-Albanian kerosene union; German company INAG for forest use etc.[6] [7]

During the period 1925-1926, 23% of the territory of Albania was included in the concessions granted to foreign capital by the governments of Zog presidency. This gave a further impetus to the country's economy, which experienced some modest but still evident development in the period 1925-1928.[4]

After the early elections on 25 August 1928, a change of form of government was proposed, the Statutory Commission proposed a change of form of the regime from a republic to a monarchy. On 1 September 1928, the Constituent Assembly proclaimed: Ahmet Zogu "King of the Albanians" under the name Zog I.[8] At this time, the Basic Statute, the Civil Code, and the Commercial Code were adopted.[9]

In 1929, the whole world would be gripped by the Great Depression caused by overproduction. Albania would not escape its effects either. It was exactly this year when the first signs of this crisis were seen, mainly in the monetary and financial system of the country, but they became more sensitive in 1930 and reached their peak in 1934-1935.[10]

To mitigate the effects of the crisis of the continuous budget deficit and financial difficulties that were evidenced in many areas and sectors, many loans and credits were taken from Western countries, mostly from Italy. The bank reduced the amount of currency in circulation and deepened deflation. It artificially increased the value of the franc and which resulted in products' lower prices.

In the middle of 1935, Albania entered a phase of revival. The industry recovered. Zog created some fiscal facilities especially for the cement factory, which was exempt from taxes for three years.

Reorganization

Since the establishment of the institution, the Ministry of Finances has undergone several administrative changes to its organizational structure. When a new department was formed, it often merged with the ministry thus expanding its role, subsequently leading to the name of the ministry being changed. If that department later broke off as a separate ministry or was dissolved, the ministry reverted to its original name.

Subordinate institutions

Officeholders (1912–present)

1Abdi Toptani
Aziz Vrioni
4 December 1912October 1913
2Jorgji ÇakoOctober 191322 January 1914
3Gaqo Adhamidhi14 March 191420 May 1914
4Filip Noga28 May 19143 September 1914
5Nexhati Libohova5 October 191427 May 1915
6Haxhi Isuf Banka27 May 191527 January 1916
Fejzi Alizoti25 December 191829 January 1920
7Ndoc Çoba30 January 192014 November 1920
8Tef Curani15 November 192016 October 1921
9Ahmed Dakli
→ Kol Thaçi
16 October 192112 December 1921
10Sulejman Starova12 December 192124 December 1921
11Kol Thaçi24 December 192125 February 1924
12Luigj Gurakuqi3 March 192416 April 1924
13Mufid Libohova30 May 192410 June 1924
Luigj Gurakuqi16 June 192424 December 1924
Mufid Libohova6 January 192523 September 1925
Sulejman Starova28 September 192510 February 1927
14Fejzi Alizoti12 February 192720 October 1927
Sulejman Starova24 October 192710 May 1928
15Milto Tutulani11 May 19285 March 1930
Kol Thaçi6 March 193011 April 1931
16Lame Kareco20 April 19317 December 1932
17Abdurrahman Dibra11 January 193316 October 1935
18Rrok Gera21 October 19357 November 1936
Kol Thaçi9 November 19367 April 1939
Kosta Marku8 April12 April 1939
Fejzi Alizoti12 April 19395 April 1940
19Kemal Vrioni5 April 19403 December 1941
20Shuk Gurakuqi3 December 19414 January 1943
21Loro Musani18 January 194311 February 1943
22Kosta Marku12 February 194328 April 1943
23Andon Beça11 May 194310 September 1943
24Sokrat Dodbiba5 November 194316 June 1944
Ramadan Çitaku28 May 194423 October 1944
Rrok Gera18 July 194428 August 1944
25Et'hem Cara6 September 194425 October 1944
26Ramadan Çitaku23 October 19446 February 1948
27Kiço Ngjela6 February 194821 November 1948
28Abdyl Këllezi23 November 194831 July 1953
29Tuk Jakova1 August 195319 July 1954
Abdyl Këllezi20 July 19543 June 1956
30Aleks Verli4 June 195628 October 1974
31Lefter Goga28 October 197411 November 1976
32Haki Toska12 November 197618 December 1981
33Qirjako Mihali15 January 198216 February 1984
34Niko Gjyzari16 February 198419 February 1987
35Andrea Nako20 February 198722 December 1990
36Qemal Disha22 December 199010 May 1991
37Anastas Angjeli11 May 19914 June 1991
38Genc Ruli11 June 19916 December 1991
39Robert Çeku18 December 199113 April 1992
Genc Ruli13 April 199223 November 1993
40Piro Dishnica9 November 19433 December 1994
41Dylber Vrioni4 December 199410 July 1996
42Ridvan Bode11 July 19961 March 1997
43Arben Malaj11 March 199728 September 1998
Anastas Angjeli2 October 199829 January 2002
44Kastriot Islami22 February 200229 December 2003
Arben Malaj29 December 200310 September 2005
Ridvan Bode11 September 200515 September 2013
45Shkëlqim Cani15 September 201317 February 2016
46Arben Ahmetaj26 February 201622 May 2017
47Helga Vukaj22 May 201713 September 2017
Arben Ahmetaj13 September 20175 January 2019
48Anila Denaj17 January 201918 September 2021
49Delina Ibrahimaj18 September 20219 September 2023
50Ervin Mete9 September 202330 July 2024
51Petrit Malaj30 July 2024Incumbent

See also

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Book: Historia e Bankës Qendrore në Shqipër. Bank of Albania. 2003. Tirana. 5. sq.
  2. Web site: Historia e Financave Shqiptare. 2021-10-01. Gazeta Dita. en-US.
  3. Web site: Albanian Gold Coins - Albania. 2021-10-02. taxfreegold.co.uk.
  4. Web site: 2012-11-28. 100 vjet: Ekonomia e kohës së Zogut dhe L II Botërore -. 2021-10-02. Revista Monitor. en-US.
  5. Poulain. Michel. 1978. L'Albanie dans la politique des Puissances, 1921-1926. Revue d'Histoire Moderne & Contemporaine. 25. 4. 530–555. 10.3406/rhmc.1978.1037.
  6. Web site: 2019-07-07. A.I.P.A. - L'iniziativa industriale italiana in Albania - 1935-1943. 2021-10-02. Albania News. it-IT.
  7. Book: Studime historike. 1967. Akademia e Shkencave, Instituti i Historisë.. sq.
  8. Web site: Zog I king of Albania. 2021-10-03. Encyclopedia Britannica. en.
  9. Book: Historia e Shqipërisë: 1912-1944. 1984. Akademia e Shkencave e RPS të Shqipërisë, Instituti i Historisë. sq.
  10. Book: Fishta. Iljaz. Sistemi monetar dhe i kreditit në Shquipëri: (1925-1944). Universiteti Shtetëror i Tiranës. Fakulteti i Ekonomisë. 1971. Universiteti i Tiranës, Fakulteti i Ekonomisë. Tiranë. Albanian. 690092829.