In an interview for “Speak Albanian,” Rama cited official statistics from the Bank of Albania, adding that, “We actually have the lowest price growth relative to wages in the region.”

According to Rama, the price transparency dashboard is a tool that will greatly assist citizens and bring about a much more reasonable balance regarding business pricing.

“On the other hand, we have a plan to build a supermarket through a public partnership. So, we are studying that as well,” Rama said.

Rama emphasized that services account for the largest share of the economy and tourism and construction are certainly key drivers.

However, he noted, “They cannot be the sole horizon of our economy.” “Tourism is a competitive advantage for Albania. Construction brings investment and transformation, but Albania is building—step by step—an economy where, in 20 years’ time, we won’t just say we have more hotels or more buildings, but rather technology,” Rama added.

According to him, Albania is currently experiencing a startup boom. “Today, we have nearly 20,000 people working in technology in Albania. We will continue to increase investments in technology, while also fostering greater agro-processing,” Rama added.

The prime minister emphasized that, “In many respects, we are currently at the forefront of the region. We have sustainable economic growth—better than any other country in the region. We have lower inflation than any other country in the region. According to the OECD and Sigma, we possess the most advanced public administration in the region. We rank first in the region for public procurement.”

Regarding the “Mountain Package,” the head of government stated that, “It will finally open the door to high-quality mountain tourism in Albania.”

“The ‘Mountain Package’ is not about building resorts on someone else’s land. It is about developing ancestral land; you must have a ten-year connection to that territory to be eligible to participate in this major initiative,” Rama affirmed. /p.s./

During a meeting with the local residents and the first beneficiaries of the program in Vau i Dejës, Koçiu said that this initiative aims to turn the lands of the ancestors “from a place of memories to a place of opportunities and development for families and Albania”.

She noted that while coastal areas have benefited from rapid economic and tourist development, the focus has now shifted to mountainous areas.

Speaking about the progress of the program, the Deputy Prime Minister said that so far there have been approved over 400 development areas in 52 municipalities in the country, while the number of approved applications has exceeded 1,200.

“This means that there has been an extraordinary interest”, she said.

Koçiu explained that the process is held in cooperation with the municipalities, where applicants must submit the property ownership documentation.

She also responded to criticism of the package, emphasizing that the program is not designed for large or foreign investors.

“There has been a lot of misinformation saying that this is a package for oligarchs or foreign investors. In fact, it is quite the opposite. This is an extraordinary opportunity for family businesses, for local residents of mountainous areas and for those who have not had the opportunity to develop their properties for years due to lack of documentation or inability to invest,” Koçiu said.

According to her, the “Mountain Package” is complemented by the “Double Your Entrepreneurship” program, which creates financing opportunities for enterprises through loans with subsidized interest rates of 2–3%, repayment terms of up to 10 years and sovereign guarantees that cover up to 70% of the collateral.

Koçiu said that the concrete examples of the first beneficiaries of the program are evidence of the progress of this initiative and invited residents to share their experiences on the process followed so far. /e.xh/p.s./

During an open conversation with residents about the “Mountain Package”, Rama urged citizens to examine the initiative’s details and ignore the misinformation surrounding it. He stressed that the proposed package does the exact opposite of claims that it will seize owners’ properties or transfer them to third parties.

“Far from benefiting usurpers, oligarchs, or outsiders, the Mountain Package is designed solely to help local property heirs develop their ancestral land where Law 7501 does not apply”, Rama stated.

He said that in these communities, inherited land boundaries remain unchanged and there are no boundary disputes among neighbors.

Rama used a local resident’s situation to explain how the new property formalization package functions. According to Rama, heirs with rightful claims who are missing from cadastral registers can now formalize their ownership. “Take Marian and his two brothers,” Rama said. “They own their land by custom, but on paper, it is state property. Essentially, they are customary owners who lack legal titles. Currently, the Cadastre has no record of this property other than as state land.

He also explained that the symbolic 1-euro price is designed to revitalize mountainous areas by converting inherited properties into active engines of community development.

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During an online conversation with citizens, Rama stated that rather than selling off mountains, the Mountain Package creates development opportunities for individuals who have inherited or farmed rural land for years, but struggled to obtain legal titles.

“We are not selling the mountains; instead, we are opening them up for those who have inherited ancestral mountain property,” said Rama.

According to him, the “Mountain Package” empowers citizens and emigrants to transform ancestral property into profitable economic assets. By offering simplified permit processes and incentives for agrotourism and agro-processing, the government is unlocking thousands of diaspora investments to fuel the country’s booming tourism sector.

He added that the Mountain Package is the result of long consultations and efforts with local communities, refuting claims that it infringes on property rights.

“I have not seen any community affected by this package say that their properties are being taken away. They are looking forward to it,” Rama said.

Responding to a commenter in the social media who wrote “A small Switzerland will be built, but it is not being built,” Rama said that the development of mountain areas is achieved by creating opportunities for residents to invest in harmony with nature.

“It is done precisely by giving people the opportunity to invest in harmony with nature and create well-being without being forced to abandon those mountains,” he said.

Responding to online criticism, he noted that the negativity doesn’t bother him, but rather ‘keeps him motivated and strong. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

In an interview given on a podcast, Disha said that approximately 260 applications have been submitted in Librazhd from residents looking to invest in local tourism and develop mountain guesthouses.

“It is a considerable number. Most of them are residents who have expressed their desire, have brought projects to invest in their hometowns, which shows the confidence they have in the development of tourism in Librazhd”, said Disha. /e.i/r.e/a.f/p.s./

During his speech at the Socialist Party Assembly in Municipal Unit 12 in Tirana, which includes the areas of Dajt, Shëngjergj, Zallbastar, Petrelë and Baldushk, Rama said that approximately 100 applications have been submitted for the Mountain Package locally.

“Beyond the 100 families investing, this program represents a, community-focused initiative that lifts the entire community,” said Rama.

He added that investing in agro-tourism and guesthouses will boost the local economy and create jobs.

“This initiative will boost local employment while stimulating regional economic development,” said the prime minister. /p.s./

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said that with four new municipalities joining, the national count rises to 32 municipalities and 272 priority development areas approved by the government.

Gonxhja said that “The Mountain Package, a joint proposal from early 2025 of the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of State for Entrepreneurship and Business Climate, is a strategic instrument that transforms the untapped potential of the territory into a real source of well-being”.

“This model fosters sustainable rural development by attracting investment, boosting tourism and generating local employment,” Gonxha said.

The ‘Mountain Package’ revitalizes remote areas by turning natural potential into sustainable local income and preventing depopulation. /e.i/a.f/p.s./

The focus is on industrial and tourism-led economic growth.

In the municipality of Dibra, the selected areas for the development of the mountain economy will be Korab highlands, Hinoska, Gramë and Zimur.

In addition, there have been defined as development areas the villages of Brezhdan, Kalla, Lashkizë, Lugjej, Lura, Qa (Prat) village, Sllatinë village, Lan – Lura, etc.

In the territory of this municipality, there have also been defined as development areas the meadows of Kalla – Vleshe, the Drin River valley, as well as the villages of Selishtë, Luzni and Rabdisht.

While in the territory of the Memaliaj municipality, the villages of Arrëz e Madhe, Maricaj and Vagalat, in the municipal unit of Buz, and in the village of Rabie have been declared development zones.

In the municipality of Tepelena, priority areas for the development of the mountain economy are determined the municipal units of Kurvelesh, Lopës and Qendër-Tepelena. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the area on social media on Saturday, highlighting Velivari’s natural beauty during the winter season. Snow-covered landscapes provide ideal conditions for outdoor activities such as mountaineering, hiking, and exploring winter terrain.

Velivari is the highest peak of the Deshat mountain range, which separates Dibër from North Macedonia. Locals know it as Hinoska, while Czech and Slovenian maps popular with tourists refer to it as Velivar. The mountain is relatively gentle, making the ascent accessible for many visitors.

The peak offers panoramic views of the city and lake of Dibër, the town of Peshkopi, distant Lake Ohrid, the valleys of the Black Drin and Rudoka, and the mountains of Mavrova, Shebenik, Martanesh, Balgjaj, Lurë, Orosh, and Korab from the southern side.

Renowned for its untouched nature and stunning vistas, Velivari transforms into a special attraction during winter for both domestic and international visitors. The area is increasingly being seen as an opportunity to develop mountain and adventure tourism, promoting Dibër’s natural potential.

The promotion of destinations like Velivari not only offers unique experiences for visitors but also contributes positively to the local economy, particularly during the winter season.

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According to Minister Gonxhja, there are actually around 5,300 hectares of land dedicated to implementation of projects and investments aimed at year-round tourism, agrotourism, adventure sports and strengthening the local mountain economy.

He stressed that this process has been launched in cooperation between the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation and the Minister of State for Local Government, underlining that the process is actually being materialized with measurable steps on the ground.

The minister stated that the “Mountain Package” is laying the foundations for rural development and sustainable tourism, paving the way for new investments in: winter sports, mountaineering trails and activities, recreational activities that bring visitors throughout the year.

“These investments are expected to give new energy to the economy of mountainous areas, increase the involvement of local communities, ensure balanced territorial development and strengthen Albania’s tourism competitiveness in the region,” Gonxhja said. /e.xh/r.e/p.s./