Two new road infrastructure projects traversing through the Laberi area, namely the third section of Vlora River road and the mountainous Gusmar-Kuç segment, which will link Tepelena with Himara’s coast, will bring to light one of Albanian nature’s treasures, provide a new connection to Ionian coastal line and boost economic development in the southern region of Albania.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by the Minister of Economy and Finance Anila Denaj, Mayor of Vlora Dritan Leli, attended the ceremony marking the start of work to construct the two road sections.

The first section of Vlora River road has completed, whereas second section of the project is about to complete soon. Third section, the construction of which kicked off today, will provide final connection between these coastal areas and the tourist resorts in the Albanian Riviera. Third section stretches down to Qeparo and is linked with the coastal road.

“The third 24-km road section branches off in another segment linking it to Kuç and another section, linking it to Tepelena and the Vlora River road, so it is the road Kuç-Gusmar and Lekdush-Benç-Tepelena. The two projects will help development of the mountainous tourism, as well as it will provide a connection between the coastal and mountainous tourism,” the Head of the Albanian Development Fund Dritan Agolli said outlining the investment due to be implemented by the Agency he head, underlining that the two roads are to be constructed almost from scratch.

The area is renowned for its livestock products and honey, but local farmers face difficulties in accessing larger urban markets and therefore the new road will become an important economic asset. This is a very important area for development of the agriculture and tourism, the Minister of Economy Anila Denaj said, adding that new road will help farmers to transport their products easier and faster to the so-called Coastal area. “Geographical approximation to the coast will help the area,” Denaj said.

Once the two roads complete, the Laberia area will link to the Coast area, providing a new dimension to the tourist offer, combining coastal and mountainous tourism. Gjirokastra and Tepelena will come closer to the Ionian coast and their historic sites will be included in the coastal tourism offer.

The road linking Gusmar and Kuç is a newly-designed infrastructure project. The only ones currently using the existing road are hikers and trekkers, nature and adventure tourism admirers who use the trekking paths in the area. The new road will boost economic and tourism development in the villages of Nivica and Kuç, part of the 100 Villages Programme.  “Kuç is a village boasting rich history and culture, but local farmers and residents face difficulties in accessing larger local markets and the new road will help development of local economy and tourism,” Minister Denaj said.

To Mayor of Vlora Dritan Leli, the new road is a dream coming true for many local residents of Kurvelesh region. ”Construction of the new road from scratch shows growing attention and new concept on tourism development, linking the mainland with the coastal area and it is absolutely one of the most important investments in this period,” Vlora Mayor said.

This is the era of a new rural economy – the Premier described the two investment projects – with the nature, history, traditional hospitality and locally grown bio produce set to become the engine of agro-tourism development in the south’s mountainous and rural area.

“This is a little-known area by Albanians and unknown at all by foreign tourists, because people normally drive either to Tepelena on one side, or to Qeparo and Himara on the other side, but driving through this mountainous area in order to enjoy the landscape of both has been never been possible ever before. This will become one of the most developed areas in terms of agro-tourism. This will be one of the areas where construction or transformation of the private old homes into guesthouses and rural hotel structures will soon thrive, because the area is accessible and suitable for year-round tourism,” PM Rama said.