Minister Malaj Announces Task Force Between Tax and Customs Authorities to Monitor the Fuel Market

The Minister of Finance, Petrit Malaj, held a meeting with the Director General of Taxes, Ilir Binaj, and the Director General of Customs, Besmir Beja. They agreed upon an operational plan to establish a joint task force between the two institutions. The task force is aimed at increasing oversight and transparency in the hydrocarbons market.
According to the approved plan, the tax and customs administrations will intensify inspections across the entire fuel trading chain, including wholesale and retail markets, to prevent abusive price increases and ensure the sector’s proper functioning.
Minister Malaj emphasized that the creation of the task force is linked to recent developments in the international hydrocarbons market. He noted that the institutions will continuously monitor prices to prevent unjustified increases in the domestic market.
The minister stated that the two institutions have agreed on the steps to be taken, beginning with risk assessments of operators active in the sector and collecting market information on potential abuses. Inspections will focus on verifying customs and tax documentation as well as physically controlling the quantities of hydrocarbons being traded.
Director General of Customs Besmir Beja noted that the inspections will cover the entire country and target high-risk operators. He added that joint inspection teams with the tax administration will be established to ensure operators’ activities comply with the law and that every sale is properly registered for tax purposes.
Meanwhile, Ilir Binaj, the Director General of Taxes, stated that institutions have already begun risk analysis and coordinated the operational inspection plan. He emphasized that the operation will be long-term, aiming to increase formalization and strengthen the proper functioning of the hydrocarbons market.
The authorities emphasized that the goal of strengthening oversight and institutional coordination is to ensure a fair market, prevent abuses, and protect citizens’ interests. This aligns with the Ministry of Finance’s commitment to strengthening fiscal discipline, increasing transparency, and building a sustainable economy for the country.