(ANSAmed) - TIRANA, 25 NOV - Today the Albanian Parliament approved a project, after a 14-hour debate, for a major renovation of the harbor of Durres with the aim of turnining it into one of Europe's largest tourist seaports in the Mediterranean. The forecasted investment of 2.1 billion euro, will be guaranteed by the UAE businessman, Mohamed Alabbar, who also built Burj Khalifa, Dubai's landmark skyscraper.
    "It will be one of the major tourist ports in the Mediterranean, if not the largest", noted Albanian PM, Edi Rama, in the Chamber, talking about the project in which his government will partner for 33%. The port's realization is foreseen to have two phases, for a total of 20 years and it will cover a surface of over 800 thousand square meters. Slightly over half of this surface will be dedicated to parks and service infrastructure.
    The first phase, in the next seven years, will include the construction of two residential areas and a luxury five star hotel, with a casino, in an area outside the port to be reclaimed. The second phase will start when the port services will be transferred to what will be Durres' new commercial harbor, which should cost. - according to a design realized by a Dutch firm - around 390 million euro.
    The center-right opposition had contested the agreement with real estate entrepreneur Alabbar, which took place "without an open tender", stating that it represents "the largest corruption case" and the "biggest theft with the government's signature" and announced it will file an appeal with the Albanian Constitutional court.
    For PM Rama, instead, the project's impact on the country's economy should equal 1.2-1.8% of the GDP. (ANSAmed).