Covid-19, the economic damage caused to Albania will reach 1 billion USD

The economic damage that will be caused to Albania due to the Covid-19 pandemic will be 1 billion dollars.

This was stated by Minister Arben Ahmetaj in the studio of the show "Opinion" on TV Klan. Ahmetaj added that the economic loss could exceed this figure.

"The economic damage this year could be -5%. In terms of Gross Domestic Product, there will be almost $1 billion in losses within the year. I think it will be a little higher, -8%, $1.3 billion in damage."

We have almost 90% of open jobs. Demand has been hit, but the consumption chain has also been hit. We are opening up, but we are conditioned by exogenous factors. We are also conditioned by the opening of the region and the opening of Europe. Their opening will make things easier for us. Our opening will make things easier for us somewhat."

Asked when normality will be restored, Ahmetaj replied that this is expected to happen in October-November, while the Albanian economy is expected to fully recover in February 2021.

"As in February of this year, we will be again in February of next year. This is an optimistic forecast. We will have a decline, but in the shape of a V we will have growth. Employment will return in June. Here we have an element that has to do with tourism. We will open tourism carefully."