The WB to Lend EUR 63.8 mln for Tourism in Southern Albania

TIRANA, October 31

Albania will improve urban infrastructure in the southern cities of Gjirokastra, Berat, and Permet with Euro 63.8 million in financing by the World Bank (WB). The purpose of this project is to reduce poverty and increase welfare and further develop tourism.
“The project will focus on the improvement of urban infrastructure in order to boost tourism. Another goal of the project is to provide the tourists that visit the southern coastline with the opportunity to explore the historic and cultural assets that Albania offers,” chair for Territory Development at the Ministry of Urban Development Nertil Jole said.

The government has adopted the law on this loan while the implementation will last five years. However, the first investments are expected to take place in early 2017.
At first, there will star the project on the rehabilitation of the stairs and promenade in Saranda, the lighting of the historical centre of Gjirokastra, the pedestrian and automobile’ road from Berat downtown to the castle. Tourism is considered as one of the sectors with the highest potential in Albania, while policies focused on building capacities and increasing the offer of products.
News Source: Tch