“Gateway to the Alps”, Karakaçi: The project, an integrated corridor connecting the Albanian Alps with the Adriatic coast
The "Gateway to the Alps" project is an integrated corridor connecting the Albanian Alps with the Adriatic coast. This was stated in his speech in the Parliament by Minister Karakaçi, according to whom this investment is a response to the conditions when northern Albania has experienced an extraordinary increase in tourist flow in recent years.
The following is part of Minister Karakaçi's speech:
"Through this project, we pave the way for the realization of a strategic investment for the economic development of northern Albania, strengthening public infrastructure and supporting mountain and year-round tourism, with a particular emphasis on the Shkodra region. The draft law we present today aims to ratify the financial contract between the Republic of Albania and the European Investment Bank, through which a loan of 50 million euros will be granted to finance municipal infrastructure works within the framework of the "Gateway to the Alps" project."
The total value of the project is expected to reach 100 million euros, while for the remaining part of the financing of 50 million euros, the Albanian Government has already made an official commitment with KfW to provide full financial support. This project represents a strategic investment with a long-term impact on improving territorial connectivity, developing integrated tourism and creating a sustainable development model for the north of the country.
In this context, the project aims to build for the first time an integrated corridor that will connect the Albanian Alps with the Adriatic coast, with Lake Shkodra, with the Buna River, Velipoja and Shëngjin. This concept aims to create an integrated economic and tourist chain, linking mountain tourism with coastal and cultural tourism, as well as creating more development opportunities for local communities.
Dear MPs,
The importance of this project becomes even greater in the conditions when northern Albania has experienced an extraordinary increase in tourist flow in recent years, thanks to the policies pursued by the Albanian Government to promote tourism, significant investments in infrastructure and increased international interest in the Albanian Alps.
The Albanian government in recent years has had a special focus on the north of the country, investing in strategic sectors, mainly in infrastructure and tourism with the aim of sustainable economic development of the area. In the Shkodra region alone, around 1.3 billion euros have been invested over a decade and around 315 km of internal roads have been built or reconstructed. Among the most important investments, I would like to mention the Valbona road, the Vermoshi road, the Shkodra-Velipoja axis, the Dukagjin road, investments in the Puka and Theth areas.
In the energy sector, during the period 2023-2026, OSHEE alone has invested 32 million euros in the four northern regions of the country: Shkodër, Lezhë, Kukës and Dibër.
These investments have directly influenced the growth of tourism, where it is worth mentioning the transformation of Tamara, Valbona, the alpine areas and the city of Shkodra. Of course, we are aware that there is still much work to be done for the north of the country and the Shkodra region and that this area deserves full attention from the Albanian Government. The intensive growth of tourism has also brought the need for new investments in infrastructure, mobility, water supply and sewage, environmental management and public services, so that development is sustainable and in harmony with the protection of nature and cultural heritage.
This is precisely where the importance of the "Gateway to the Alps" project lies. This project does not focus only on road infrastructure, but envisages an integrated territorial approach, foreseeing significant interventions in road infrastructure and territorial connections to improve access between the Alps, lake areas and the Adriatic coast, between Velipoja and Shëngjin. Urban spaces and public services with the aim of increasing economic development and tourist capacities. Public transport and sustainable mobility. Water and environmental infrastructure with the aim of increasing the quality of services. Natural and historical monuments, as well as the creation of new tourist products including tourist structure paths, bicycle infrastructure and valorization of cultural heritage.
"Gateway to the Alps" is conceived as a project with a wide scope and direct impact on the economic development of the north of the country. It aims not only to improve infrastructure and accessibility, but also to create the conditions for the development of year-round tourism, the expansion of the tourist season and the increase of private investments in the region.
The project is also intended to create sustainable year-round access to the Shkodra region, supporting the development of tourism as a priority sector for the Albanian economy. This project also directly contributes to the realization of the objectives of the "Albania 2030" program for sustainable development, through investments in public infrastructure, water and environment, protection of natural and cultural heritage, as well as measures for adaptation to climate change.
The implementation of this project is expected to improve the quality of life for local communities, increase public and private investments in the north of the country, develop year-round tourism, increase infrastructural connectivity, support regional economic development, improve basic services and mobility, and contribute significantly to environmental protection and adaptation to climate change.
To return once again to the draft law that we have for approval today, I would like to emphasize that financing from the European Investment Bank guarantees not only financial support with very favorable terms compared to commercial bank financing, but also with high standards of transparency, monitoring and project implementation. The ratification of this agreement represents an investment with a long-term impact on the development of northern Albania by strengthening territorial cohesion, economic development and the country's tourism potential.
Therefore, I invite all MPs to approve the draft law.
Thank you!
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