Gent Sejko: Albania’s economy and its interaction with monetary and fiscal policies Statement by Mr Gent Sejko, Governor of the Bank of Albania, to the hearing session of the Parliamentary Committee on Economy and Finance, about the draft-budget 2017, Tirana, 22 November 2016. * * *  Honourable Chairman, Honourable Members of the Committee, The steady and long-term development of Albania has been and is a constant priority of Bank of Albania’s work. Therefore, accomplishing this objective requires not only applying prudent monetary and fiscal policies, but also their constant and efficient coordination. The approval of the budget and the accompanying fiscal package is decisive for the country’s economic development. The budget and the relevant fiscal package outline the short and medium-term priorities for public finance, contribute to the long-term profile of growth and development by supporting with funds the structural reforms, and orientate the private sector development by determining the incentives on consumption and investments. Therefore, the Bank of Albania appreciates the opportunity to be able to present to this hearing session our opinion on the draft-budget 2017. In compliance with our legal mandate and the scope of our expertise, the opinion of the Bank of Albania on the draft-budget 2017 will focus on the following: Albania’s development perspectives, intertwined with the monetary and fiscal policies; Fiscal projections and public finance stability; and, Effects of projected public borrowing on the domestic financial markets. At the end, there are some suggestions on possible measures to boost the effectiveness and stability of public finances. 1.

Public sector borrowing and domestic financial market The draft-budget 2017 envisages domestic borrowing amounting to ALL 19.8 billion. The liquidity situation in the domestic financial market and the low interest rates provide the premises for accommodating the aimed borrowing level. However, the Ministry of Finance and the Government of Albania should give due attention to the even distribution of borrowing and budget expenditures, in order to reduce domestic markets’ volatility. Also, the Ministry of Finance should constantly monitor the absorption of borrowing in domestic financial markets, in order to enable the constant re-calibration of debt instruments with market requirements. *** Concluding, the Bank of Albania would like to present some suggestions, which – in our opinion – would contribute to the process of drafting and implementing the Budget in the future. 4. Suggestions and recommendations 4.1 Forecasting, Uncertainty and Risk Management The forecast on the revenue of the budget – like any other economic forecast – is surrounded by uncertainties and risks. The proper acknowledgment and understanding of this fact necessitates measures to identify and quantify them, and paves the way to effectively manage the possible consequences. 3/5  BIS central bankers' speeches  In line with our previous suggestions, Bank of Albania deems that the drafting and implementation process of Budget would benefit from the establishment of alternative budget scenarios, which would be implemented in the event of large deviations from the forecast.