Shqipëria Posted on 2026-05-06 11:35:00

"Gateway to the Alps", what does the 100 million euro project bring to the north? - Yzeriraj: More tourism, property values ​​increase by 10-15%

From Elisabeta Dosku

"Gateway to the Alps", what does the 100 million euro project bring to

The "Gateway to the Alps" project, which will serve as a blue corridor between the coast and the north of Albania, is expected to launch soon, to give a new boost to tourism development and create higher incomes for residents.

The Agriculture Committee has discussed and approved the draft law "On the ratification of the financial contract between the Republic of Albania and the European Investment Bank, for this project," which has a value of 100 million euros, of which 50 million are provided through an EBRD loan.

"Part of a broad investment program that aims to bring an approach to integrated development of the country's regions. As for financial terms, the implementation period will be 5 years, the contract has a maturity of 25 years, there is a grace period for the first 5 years, the interest rate is 3.8-3.9 percent. It is a soft loan and valuable for the state budget", said Endrit Yzeiraj, Deputy Minister of Finance.

The head of the Albanian Development Fund, Dritan Agolli, emphasized that a list of priority investments has currently been drafted within the framework of this project.

"The Gateway to the Alps program is a continuation of a different approach of the ADF, the focus is on the northwestern area of ​​Albania to create a strategic connection and to enable the entire tourist flow to extend to the Alps by creating a blue corridor that connects the coastal and Alpine parts. The program started 4 years ago. A series of preliminary studies have been carried out. Work is expected to start very soon, a list of priority investments has been drawn up and agreed with local stakeholders."

Asked by MPs about the financing method and impact, the Deputy Minister of Finance emphasized that its implementation will increase budget revenues and increase property values.

"We aim to secure the other half of the investment of 50 million euros as financing from the German Development Bank, KFW. We anticipate a 10% increase per visitor and 15-20 million euros in additional revenue per year from this project and a 10-15% increase in property value."

The project is focused on the Lezha, Shkodra and Malesia e Madhe areas and aims to better connect the northern areas with each other and the rest of the country. The project includes improving road and transport infrastructure, investments in water supply and wastewater management, as well as interventions in urban development.

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