Minister Ibrahimaj Says Fuel Price Monitoring to Be Strengthened

The Minister of Economy and Innovation, Delina Ibrahimaj, along with the Minister of Finance, Petrit Malaj, and the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Enea Karakaçi, met with key companies in the hydrocarbons sector and representatives of the Hydrocarbons Association. They discussed fuel price trends in the domestic market and international market trends.
The ministers discussed price movements on the Platts Mediterranean exchange, a benchmark for diesel and gasoline, as well as the relationship between import, wholesale, and retail prices in the domestic market.
During the meeting, the need to strengthen market monitoring and increase transparency regarding how international exchange price movements are reflected in fuel prices in Albania was emphasized. To this end, the Ministry of Economy and Innovation will implement a daily price monitoring mechanism, analyze the relationship between Platts exchange prices, import prices, and market sales prices on a periodic basis, coordinate with operators and the Hydrocarbons Association to promote market transparency and stability, and provide regular public updates on price developments and their underlying factors.
The Ministry of Finance will establish a joint task force between the tax and customs administrations to strengthen oversight and efficiency in the hydrocarbons sector. This task force will monitor profit margins across the entire trading chain, from import to retail sales. Its aim is to ensure that price changes reflect real developments in the international market and to prevent abusive price increases. The task force will also ensure that business activities are conducted legally, that all sales are recorded for tax purposes, and that traded fuel meets all customs and tax obligations.
The authorities emphasized that the situation in international markets requires constant institutional attention to maintain market stability. They will continue to monitor international exchanges and the domestic market daily, taking necessary measures in cases of unjustified price deviations. The institutions are committed to ensuring transparency, fair competition, and consumer protection in Albania’s hydrocarbons market.