The Durana Tech Park, a new space designed to become a center for entrepreneurship, technological, and economic development in the region, has officially opened with the certification of its first residents.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, present at the opening ceremony, stated that the certification of the first residents is the first concrete product of a vision that once seemed utopian.
Rama highlighted the high interest from foreign companies worldwide in joining the Durana Tech Park. He also noted the significant interest from academic institutions, which he sees as a positive development.
However, Rama emphasized that the goal is not only to attract foreign companies but also to engage Albanian talent. He pointed out that some government-supported startups are now becoming Park members.
Rama informed that the process has begun for three well-known Italian universities, and other universities have also expressed interest. He stated that this development necessitates a review of the regulatory framework to facilitate the inclusion of academic institutions in this digital society.
Through strategic support for small and medium-sized enterprises, Durana Tech Park aims to attract foreign and domestic investment while fostering the development of high-value-added products and services. With a focus on research, innovation, and production in the technology sector, the tech park is designed to create a skilled workforce and drive economic growth.
Durana Tech Park offers a favorable tax regime to maximize profits for resident companies: 0% VAT and 0% profit tax for resident companies, a significant advantage compared to the region, where VAT and profit tax can reach up to 20% and 15%, respectively. Employee personal income tax is 0% for 10 years, and social security contributions are capped at €95/month, with a social security and health insurance contribution of only 3.4%, resulting in substantial labor cost savings.
Durana Tech Park is strategically located in Xhafzotaj, with proximity to the Port of Durrës (the largest in Albania and one of the largest in the Adriatic) and Tirana International Airport. The area also provides access to Albania’s largest and most qualified labor markets in Tirana and Durrës, where 75% of higher education institutions and research centers are concentrated.
The tech park is situated on a large area of approximately 26 hectares, divided into three separate but adjacent parts.
