One of the key projects is the Shiroka-Zogaj road, which connects tourism offerings in Albania and Montenegro and facilitates travel between the two countries.

Prime Minister Edi Rama on Monday shared footage of Shiroka area, which has evolved into a growing development hub on the shores of Lake Shkodra.

Improvements to public infrastructure and communal spaces are expected to support the area’s sustainable development, enhance residents’ quality of life and create better conditions for local businesses.

The investments aim to strengthen Shiroka’s tourism potential. Its lakeside location, natural scenery and culinary traditions make it an attraction for a growing number of domestic and international visitors.

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The protesters marched once again toward the government building, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and forming a technical government.

In his remarks, a former participant of the 2018 student protests reiterated demands for quality public education and a stronger student voice in university decision-making.

Meanwhile, activist Edison Lika affirmed that the protesters would persist in their stand until their demands for political change and bringing down of the government are met.

Launched on May 31 against the Zvërnec investment, the civic protest has gradually expanded its demands, from reversing legal changes to protected areas to canceling the Mountain Package.

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Rama said the two areas were emerging as tourism destinations, driven by entrepreneurship and investment beyond the image of Albania often portrayed on social media and television.

One guest, Kanton Gashi, returned from the United States after 32 years and opened “Liqeni Camping and Agrotourism” in his native village of Gashaj, in Malësi e Madhe. The restaurant and campsite attract foreign visitors, including Germans, Dutch and French tourists, even during winter. Gashi said his return was motivated by his attachment to his homeland and his ambition to build his own business, which also supports local producers.

Another guest, Ergi, returned from London in 2017 and invested in hospitality in Tirana. His business now offers seven rooms, with bookings available through Booking.com, and he plans to develop a hotel combining accommodation and agrotourism in Përmet.

“I had offers to move abroad, but I decided to stay with my business in Tirana. I find greater motivation in working for myself,” he said.

Rama also outlined the government’s “Double Your Business” programme, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises in sectors including agrotourism, livestock, agro-processing and technology. The scheme offers loans at interest rates of up to 2%, with the state guaranteeing 70% of the loan, repayment terms of up to 10 years and financing of up to €2 million, depending on the business plan and collateral.

Rama said agrotourism remained a priority sector for government support, particularly in areas with strong tourism potential.

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“A strong partnership is measured by what two nations achieve together. Ambassador Eric Wendt met Prime Minister Edi Rama today to discuss deeper defense ties, expanded trade and investment, and a tougher fight against organized crime,” the U.S. Embassy said.

Wendt formally took up his post as U.S. ambassador to Albania on Sept. 26 after presenting his credentials to President Bajram Begaj.

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Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi said in a media briefing after the government meeting that the first project is related to rehabilitation of dormitories to increase energy efficiency.

According to him, after the successful completion of investments in 15 dormitories, the agreement paves the way for more investments in 14 other dormitories, with the aim of improving conditions and increasing energy efficiency.

The second project is related to the investment in the Vau i Dejës Hydropower plant, one of the most important hydropower plants in the country, built about 50 years ago.

Minister Karakaçi said that Vau i Dejës HPP contributes about 28% of the total electricity production by Albanian Power Corporation KESH and that the investment aims to extend its lifespan by about 30 more years.

The third project is related to digitalization of energy transmission operations. Within its framework, there is foreseen digitalization of about 40 substations, which will enable more efficient management of energy flows and increase energy supply capacities.

Thus, Albania-Germany agreement aims to support investments in energy efficiency, the upgrade of energy production and transmission infrastructure and the increase of the country’s energy security. /e.xh/a.f/p.s./

Speaking at the second Innovation Forum, focused on AI and the development of Albania’s technology sector, Rama said the government was preparing a national AI programme that would involve input from stakeholders.

The government head underlined that information technology offers significant opportunities for economic development but warned that Albania needed to keep pace with rapid technological change to avoid falling behind.

“We are aware that all these issues are developing at an extraordinary pace, which on the one hand is a great blessing for countries like ours because technology allows us to make leaps forward, but on the other hand it is a constant warning signal,” Rama said.

He urged businesses taking part in the forum to focus on real problems, develop practical solutions based on an accurate assessment of current conditions and be prepared to work together.

Rama said about 28,500 technology professionals were currently working in Albania, a figure that had been rising during the year, while wages in the sector had also increased significantly.

The technology sector now accounts for 2.2% of Albania’s gross domestic product, up from a negligible share previously, he said.

“It should undoubtedly be higher, but it is a meaningful figure for the country’s potential,” Rama said.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama on Sunday posted photos on social media from the “Oda e Hasanbeut” agritourism establishment.

Rama said the facility, located in the hills of Petrelë in Tirana’s rural area, was established with support from the IPARD II programme. The family-run business offers traditional Albanian flavours, using fresh produce from local farmers as well as Albanian wine.

Beyond being a tourist destination, such businesses demonstrate how support for agritourism can help connect farmers, local production and tourism.

Agritourism is also seen as a tool for creating jobs and increasing the value of agricultural output. As more such businesses develop, farmers have greater opportunities to sell their produce not only as raw materials but as part of a broader economic value chain.

IPARD has been an important source of support for agribusiness, agro-processing and agrotourism, helping drive investment and improve standards in the rural economy.

Support for the sector is also continuing through the 2026 National Scheme and the Sovereign Guarantee Instrument, which aim to expand financing opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses.

The development of agritourism is therefore not only about creating new tourist facilities. It is also part of a broader policy aimed at making Albania’s countryside more attractive for living, production and investment, while turning authenticity, tradition and local produce into an economic advantage.

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One focus will be upgrading the PowerFactory platform to strengthen analysis of the electricity network and assess future needs, helping guide investment planning, OSSH said.

The operator also plans to install local SCADA systems at 14 substations, allowing equipment and network parameters to be monitored and controlled remotely, improving response times and infrastructure management.

OSSH will also expand smart metering, installing new meters for end-users supplied by substations equipped with smart-metering systems. The move is expected to provide more accurate consumption data and help identify and control both technical and non-technical network losses.

The technology upgrades form part of a broader investment programme covering substations, high- and medium-voltage lines and medium- and low-voltage networks.

In a plan submitted to Albania’s Energy Regulatory Authority, OSSH said revisions to the investment programme did not involve lowering technical standards, but mainly reflected changes in implementation schedules and costs to align projects with the network’s needs.

The modernisation programme aims to improve monitoring, analysis and metering and create a more efficiently managed grid capable of meeting future consumer demand and supporting the development of the energy system.

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In her commentary column “Weekend Corner,” Tabaku traced the law’s timeline—from its initial passage through multiple extensions—to the ongoing discussions surrounding its potential repeal.

Originally pitched as a temporary way to draw foreign investment and build key industries, a decade later the law has instead enabled the unfair distribution of public property, said Tabaku.

DP MP tied this issue to changes in the tourist ports law, arguing that the updates let strategic investors bypass standard competitive bidding. She pointed to the Durrës Yacht & Marina project as a prime example of public land handed over without a fair, open contest.

Tabaku dismissed Rama’s ‘Besa’ initiative, arguing that a government cannot demand public trust for reforms under the exact system it created and maintained.

According to the Democratic MP, the repeal of the law on strategic investments would be an important step in changing the model of favors and restoring competition in the economy./ /gj.m/ a.jor./p.s./

Ibrahimaj was responding to comments by former Deputy Finance Minister Irena Beqiraj, who questioned the sources of foreign currency entering the Albanian economy and suggested that money from illegal activities had contributed to the appreciation of the lek.

In a post on social media, Ibrahimaj dismissed the claims as unfounded, saying official statistics accounted for the reported 8.5 billion euros in foreign currency inflows through tourism receipts, foreign direct investment and remittances.

According to the Minister, the total comprises 5.72 billion euros in tourism revenue, 1.64 billion euros in foreign direct investment and 1.12 billion euros in remittances, amounting to approximately 8.5 billion euros.

She acknowledged that Albanians spent 3.04 billion euros on travel abroad, but said this did not negate the significance of the 5.72 billion euros spent in Albania by foreign visitors.

“The balance of payments records inflows and outflows separately,” Ibrahimaj said, adding that travel receipts exceeded outbound travel spending by 2.68 billion euros, making tourism a major source of additional euro liquidity in the domestic market.

She also rejected criticism of the foreign investment figures, saying reinvested earnings are internationally recognised as foreign direct investment because they remain in Albania to finance business expansion, capital investment and employment.

Ibrahimaj said the Bank of Albania has consistently linked the structural appreciation of the lek to improvements in the country’s external position, supported by rising tourism revenues, remittances, foreign investment and exports.

She added that the relatively small size of Albania’s foreign exchange market amplifies the impact of higher euro inflows on the exchange rate.

“A relatively strong increase in euro supply from tourism, investment and remittances can have a faster and more visible effect on the exchange rate than it would in a larger and more liquid market,” Ibrahimaj said.

She argued that the appreciation of the lek reflects underlying economic fundamentals rather than unidentified or illicit capital inflows.

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