Economic activity growth was generated by agriculture, industry sectors and some branches of the services sector, while the construction sector fell sharply. BIS central bankers’ speeches  1  From the viewpoint of aggregate demand, the second quarter’s economic growth was mostly supported by the foreign demand, while the domestic demand remained sluggish. Consumer spending, though higher than in the first quarter, did not return to past year’s rates of increase. This component of the domestic demand remained influenced by the perceived uncertainty, lacked dynamisms in the labour market and slowed available income. Confronted with a low ultimate demand for their products and in the presence of spare capacities and relatively tight lending terms, private investments also remained low. In particular, during the first half of the year, the low private investment level reflected households’ low demand for housing. Public spending and fiscal stimulus were also weak, reflecting the consolidating fiscal policy and observing the fiscal restrictions required by law. Fiscal consolidation, which is based mostly on reduced expenditure, is illustrated through the downward trend of budget deficit over the period. The budget deficit resulted about ALL 25.7 billion during the first three quarters of the year, down by about 19%, y-o-y. Until September, the realised expenditures were about 0.2% lower than a year earlier, while the budget income increased 2.3%. The data on developments in the external sector of the economy show Albania’s significantly improved external position.

Ardian Fullani: Overview of Albania’s latest economic and financial developments Speech by Mr Ardian Fullani, Governor of the Bank of Albania, on the Monetary Policy Decision-Making of the Bank of Albania’s Supervisory Council, Tirana, 31 October 2012 *  *  *  Today, on 31 October 2012, the Bank of Albania’s Supervisory Council reviewed and approved the quarterly Monetary Policy Report. Based on the analysis of Albania’s latest economic and monetary developments, and following discussions on their performance outlook, the Bank of Albania’s Supervisory Council decided to keep the key interest rate unchanged, at 4.0%. The Supervisory Council deems that the current monetary conditions are adequate to meet Bank of Albania’s inflation target in the medium term. Keeping the key interest rate at its minimum historical level ensures the necessary monetary incentive to promote Albania’s domestic demand and economic growth. Let me now proceed with an overview of the economic and monetary developments and key issues discussed at today’s meeting. *** The Albanian economy was faces with a challenging global environment over the first three quarters of 2012 due to difficult situation of the world economy, and particularly of the euro area. Domestically and externally generated supply shocks determined the economic growth profile and continued to test Albania’s macroeconomic and financial foundations. Over this period, the Albanian economy was faced with slow foreign demand growth, increased financial risk premia and tendencies of several financial market agents to reduce exposure to Albanian economy. These developments were also reflected in low consumption and investment levels.