TIRANA, April 3 – Albania’s government has expanded the “Mountain Package” initiative to 32 municipalities, aiming to boost economic development and investment in the country’s mountainous areas.

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said the cabinet approved priority development zones for four new municipalities, bringing the total to 272 zones nationwide. He described the package, co-proposed by the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Tourism in early 2025, as a strategic tool to transform untapped territorial potential into real economic benefits.

“Through this model, we are creating a secure path for investment, tourism, and local economies that generate jobs and sustainable development, giving rural areas the attention they deserve,” Gonxhja said.

The Mountain Package forms part of a broader strategy to develop remote mountain regions and curb depopulation. By leveraging natural resources, the initiative seeks to create sustainable income sources for local communities while supporting long-term economic growth.

/a.p./