Albanian 2017 growth beat expectations: FinMin

TIRANA, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Albanian economy performed better than expected in 2017, Albanian Finance Minister Arben Ahmetaj told a press conference Monday.

He noted that the country's growth of 3.9 percent in 2017 exceeded the rate projected by Bank of Albania and international financial institutions.

At the end of Q3 2017, FDIs in Albania were estimated at 676.6 million euros (821.1 million U.S. dollars), contributing significantly to the economy.

Ahmetaj said: "This year we will see strategic investments such as construction of Vlora airport, or others projects in tourism, which on legal and procedural terms will mature in the first half and start investments at the end of 2018 or at the beginning of 2019."

There are 1,100 foreign companies that contribute to the growth of foreign investment and the overall economy, he added. Enditem