
Shortly after midnight, the Parliament approved the extension of the profit tax exemption period for luxury 4- and 5-star hotels by 2 years, as well as the postponement of the deadline for applying for strategic investments until December 31, 2026.
After 9 hours of debate, the Assembly voted on the laws and decisions on the agenda, with many deputies absent from the hall.
The Speaker of the Assembly had to wait a few minutes before opening the session. Voting began at 00:15 on January 31, 2025, when the majority MPs took their seats in the session, while the opposition seats remained empty, with the exception of the DP MP Bujar Leskaj, who joined the vote with the socialists for two bills.
Thus, the bill on some additions and amendments to the law "On strategic investments in the Republic of Albania" was approved with 73 votes in favor, 1 against and 0 abstentions. The vote against was by Bujar Leksaj of the Democratic Party.
Meanwhile, the draft law for an addition to the law "On Income Tax", which exempts from corporate income tax for a period of 10 years, those structures that benefit from special status until December 2026, was approved with 68 votes in favor, 1 against and 3 abstentions.
Bujar Leskaj of the DP voted against, while Erjon Braçe, Pandeli Majko and Petro Koçi abstained.
According to this draft law initiated by the Secretary General of the Socialist Party, Blendi Klosi, all hotel entities that benefit from special status by December 31, 2026, are exempt from profit tax for the next 10 years.
MP Klosi said that this draft law will also benefit 11 operators who will cooperate with international brands to build 4-5 star hotels in the priority tourism development area, i.e. 22 operators in total. Responding to criticism from the socialists, Braçe and Majko, who opposed the draft law in the Laws Committee, Klosi said that through this initiative, hotels in city centers and in Tirana are excluded.