TIRANA, March 13 /ATA/-By Maela Marini/ – Albanian Parliament approved Thursday the “Mountain Package,” a draft law aimed at promoting sustainable economic development in the country’s mountainous regions.
The bill, approved with 73 votes, one abstention and one vote against, envisages a series of streamlined procedures on property and construction, as well as significant fiscal incentives in a bid to attract investments, create jobs, and formalize land ownership for long-term users of properties in mountainous areas.
Addressing the plenary session, the Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation, Blendi Gonxhja, said that the draft law will bring an alternative approach towards promoting mountainous tourism and economic development.
According to him, the support package is expected to give a fresh impetus to recent investments in urban and coastal areas, increasing employment and income.
The legislation introduces measures to transfer state land to private ownership for a symbolic fee of EUR 1, provided that beneficiaries commit to specific development projects. It also aims to revitalize mountainous regions that have lagged economically compared to urban and coastal areas.
Lawmakers also ratified the loan agreement between Albania and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD on funding Smart City project aimed at strengthening public safety and the State Police performance.
Parliament approved two crucial agreements with the European Union that will release a total amount of 922 085 888 euros, 29% of which in grants and 71% in loans, under the EU’s Growth Plan.
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