
By the summer, the government will launch a new law on strategic investments, aligned with European Union rules and standards, for public consultation. The law on strategic investments was adopted in 2015, with a 3-year term, but after several postponements, its term expires in December of this year.
"We have undertaken to adopt the new investment law within this year. We are conducting an analysis for all EU countries on the incentives they have, with the aim of attracting investments to their countries."
"By the summer, we will begin a consultation process on the new investment law, according to EU standards, as well as on attracting investments to disadvantaged areas," she said.
At the press conference, the Minister of Economy, Delina Ibrahimaj, reiterated once again that there is still no approved project for Zvërnec:
"We have started work to take some actions related to the development of the Sazan area. It is an island that will remain under the ownership of the Albanian state. In that project, the Albanian state will be included as a co-investor and co-owner.
"We are negotiating with the company regarding the percentage that the state will have in the development of the project. Once we have a clear picture, everything will become transparent," she said.
"We still do not have a project for Zvërnec. Architects and environmental experts are working to draft a project that will meet EU standards in terms of environmental protection and that will make it possible to realize the largest investment we have had in tourism, at the level of 4 billion euros."
"For an economy that has a total output of 27 billion euros, an investment of 4 billion euros constitutes a very large boost for the domestic economy," Ibrahimaj continued.
Ibrahimaj guaranteed, meanwhile, that if economic indicators signal a significant increase in prices, the government will undertake new support measures for pensioners and the most needy groups:
"Pension indexation will no longer take place in October, but in July. Today, inflation is at 3% and it is not considered that we are in conditions where price increases are unsustainable."
But, when we assess that there is a price increase beyond what pensioners or needy groups can afford, we will be there to take the necessary measures and support them."
Minister Ibrahimaj also focused on the current economic situation, which she considered stable and with growth above expectations.