TIRANA (Albania), July 20 (SeeNews) – Albania's consolidated budget surplus decreased to 2.3 billion leks ($21 million/18 million euro) in the first half of 2018, from 3.0 billion leks in the prior-year period, official figures showed on Friday.
Consolidated budget revenue rose 2.2% year-on-year to 216.9 billion leks in the January-June period, while spending increased 2.6% to 214.7 billion leks, according to data published on the website of the ministry.
Tax revenue grew 3.1% on the year to 202.3 billion leks, while VAT proceeds increased 3.4% on the year to 68 billion leks in the first six months of 2018.
A budget deficit equivalent to 2% of GDP and economic growth of 4% is forecast in Albania's 2018 budget bill.
(1 euro = 125.301 leks)