The very busy road Shkodër-Velipoja, especially during the tourist season, is undergoing a reconstruction project thanks to the Urban Renaissance program. Works are currently being performed in all its 3 lots.
Prime Minister Edi Rama was in Shkodra today, and together with the Director General of the Albanian Development Fund Benet Beci inspected the progress of the works on this road segment.
ADF’s director Benet Beci explained that following this new project, some sections of this road will divert the transition to residential areas thus shortening the distance and creating opportunities for higher speeds, in addition to minimising transport congestion in the villages. “The whole road is 18 kilometres long. 20 million dollars have been invested, and work is being carried out in all the three lots simultaneously. One section of the road, which is part of the new road, will cross the line and divert the residential areas, thus creating opportunity for higher speed and minimising traffic towards the villages. All the parameters have been arranged. The road is 7 metres wide, and it has been asphalted and equipped with lighting in the residential areas.”
As was being informed about the project, the Prime Minister urged that it be completed with all the parameters of tourist roads, with greenery having an important part. “Another fund is needed to create later the crown of trees along it, because this is a tourist road. Second, the bridge needs to be done as a work of art, in the good sense of the word, not just as a work of art in the engineering sense. But the important thing is that it was finally done after a quarter of century.”
The Prime Minister urged also that the reconstruction of the road be in full harmony with the infrastructure projects for the inland areas of Velipoje. “The road has to be combined with the urban rehabilitation of the within Velipoje and the inland areas. Let’s make a joint financing with the World Bank Fund for tourism, part of it with government funds, and thus make a thorough reconstruction.”
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The plant for the collection and processing of aromatic and medicinal herbs in Malesia e Madhe, is known for its activity both at home and abroad. The entrepreneur running it, is beneficiary of ARDA Funds through which he has been able to expand his business by significantly increasing the number of direct and indirect employees in his enterprise.
Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the plant today and met with both its entrepreneur and some of the employees. The entrepreneur told the Prime Minister that he is now proud to show his plant, the products of which are exported to America. “I’ve arranged it, and it came out beautifully, so when American clients come and visit it, I’m proud to show them around. I made it on my own, while this other part is thanks to the RADA funds. Even this one here, it was all done with the ARDA funds.”
When asked by the Prime Minister about the work volume and the number of employees along the chain, the entrepreneur replied: “Demand has increased by 70%, because quality has improved. I have 400 farmers from Malesi e Madhe, who have a TIN. There are also from Gjirokaster, Kukes. They can make up to 10-11 thousand.”
