450 million euros withdrawn from the market in 2026 - Bank of Albania will increase interventions. Most purchases in the summer season
The Bank of Albania will withdraw up to 450 million euros from the market next year. According to the calendar published by the Central Bank, 2026 will be characterized by a significant increase in interventions in the domestic market for the purchase of euros and consequently an increase in foreign exchange reserves.
Compared to this year, where the Bank of Albania's objectives were to purchase 270-350 million euros through auctions, in 2026 this objective has increased by 100 million euros, aiming to purchase 330-450 million euros.
The Bank of Albania will make the largest purchases during the summer months, with July marking the highest number of auctions, with 5. During the summer season, the largest amount of euros is also expected in the country, as a result of the influx of tourists, so the Central Bank will also carry out 12 interventions.
The Bank will carry out 26 interventions in total in the domestic foreign exchange market, starting from February until December 18.
About 9 auctions will be with the FORWARD option, i.e. through a preliminary agreement to purchase euros on a future date and with an exchange rate determined at the moment of reaching this agreement, as well as 17 SPOT auctions, i.e. with purchases according to the exchange rate on the date the auction is held.
The money that emigrants bring in every year, foreign direct investment, income from tourists and informal money, have caused the lek to strengthen and the euro to depreciate, which has touched historical lows. In the first half of the year, the Bank of Albania bought 122 million euros from commercial banks to increase foreign exchange reserves and stabilize the exchange rate, but the impact has been limited.
Such an exchange rate is in favor of the government's external debt, but also for keeping inflation under control by the Central Bank, however, it brings huge losses to exporting businesses that sell abroad in euros, but pay their costs in lek domestically.
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