TIRANA (Albania), November 13 (SeeNews) – The European Investment Bank (EIB) said on Wednesday it has signed a 200,000 euro ($220,412) agreement with Albanian Development Fund (ADF) to provide technical assistance for preparing an investment programme for the country's northern region.
“This is the first step in a wider approved technical assistance programme worth up to 3 million euro to be implemented in partnership with ADF in support of the region,” the EU’s bank said in a press release.
The technical assistance agreement concerns an area encompassing the Adriatic coastline between Shengjin and Velipoje, the shores of Lake Shkodra, the River Buna and the Koplik gateway to the Albanian Alps, and includes parts of the territories of the municipalities of Shkodra, Lezha, and Malesi e Madhe.
“As part of this cooperation, the EIB will assist ADF in defining the coastline gate of Alps integrated tourism and urban upgrading strategy, and in evaluating the area’s natural assets and potential, as well as addressing environmental issues,” the bank noted.
The cooperation will enable the preparation of a mid and long-term capital investment plan that will complement the existing master plan of the Alps by improving accessibility, environmental quality and local amenities.
“By helping devise a public infrastructure investment programme based upon the regional tourism potential and an in-depth analysis of existing infrastructure gaps the Bank will contribute to realising the untapped growth potential of northern Albania,” EIB representative for Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia, Alessandro Bragonzi, said.
($ = 0.90729 euro)