TIRANA, April 9 /ATA/ -By Maela Marini/ PM Edi Rama stated on Thursday that the impact of the construction sector on the country’s transformation is tangible, and that labeling the sector as linked to criminal activity is both abhorrent and inappropriate.
Speaking at a meeting with businesspeople, which featured the launch of latest project by “Pajtoni Group,”, Rama emphasised the benefits such developments bring to local communities. He added that the company has committed to building a school once the local authority allocates the site.
“Even before the kickoff of construction, the Municipality of Tirana has collected 14 million euros in taxes from this project. This represents a significant sum, and once the project is completed, the community will benefit new nurseries and kindergartens,” stated Prime Minister Edi Rama.
He further emphasised that the 14 million euros includes the 3% share allocated for housing.
“Investing in these projects represents an injection of billions in added value, as it is clear that these apartments cannot be purchased by someone on a low or average income. Nevertheless, the Municipality of Tirana and the relevant local authorities receive a tax from the construction activity, of which 3% is specifically earmarked for housing, to be invested in social and affordable housing schemes. These developments also make a meaningful contribution to the provision of affordable housing,” added Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Rama highlighted that, to date, 350 apartment units in the project have been ordered exclusively by the Albanian diaspora, with payments made via bank transfer rather than in cash.
“Three hundred and fifty apartments account for a quarter of the total units in this large development. This illustrates the reality of an increasingly extensive chain of economic activity, growing in a sustainable way—contrary to claims made in the media by those unwilling to recognise Albania’s achievements,”Rama stated.
Rama emphasised that the construction sector brings significant benefits, but unfortunately, as with many successes in this country, it is often criticised and unfairly tarnished.
“It is a sector that is subjected to attacks, criticism, and disparagement. I do not dispute that, as in any sector in Albania, there are problems within construction, and in some cases these problems are particularly acute. Not everything in the sector is entirely transparent or flawless, yet it remains as valuable as the hard work of the tens of thousands of people who give life to it,” Mr Rama stated.
The Prime Minister stressed that the construction sector demonstrates Albania’s success and criticised attempts to associate it with criminal activity, noting that most investors are unfairly maligned.
/sm/
