Durana Tech Park is the first initiative to build an innovation park in Albania. It will be located in Xhafzotaj, Durrës.near Rinas and the port of Durresand aims to become a regional technology hub. The goal is to attract foreign investment and create spaces for IT companies, universities, digital nomads, etc. This area will bring approximately 5,000 new jobs for qualified professionals.
Legal Framework and Organization
Law No. 58/2022 “On the creation, organization, and functioning of Technology and Science Parks”determines the structure of benefits and procedures for parks like Durana. Durana was approved by decision of the Council of Ministers No. 185, dated 03.27.2024, which approved the opening of the park. State-owned properties (26 ha of land in Xhafzotaj) were transferred for administration to the Albanian Investment Corporation (AIC). AIC has established the joint-stock company “Durana Tech Park” as the development entity and administrator of the park. Thus, AIC oversees the project in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation.
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Tax advantages and benefits
Businesses operating in Durana Tech Park benefit from a full package of fiscal incentives:
- 0.1% tax on profit for 15 years (15-year benefit on in-park income).
- A 0% payroll tax for 10 years for all personnel engaged in research and development.
- VAT 0% on goods, equipment, and services used in the park for the production of innovative products.
- Local taxes (0%) for 10 years – exemption from real estate and infrastructure taxes for constructions within the park.
- State co-financing for the training expenses of technical and scientific staff.
- Simplified customs procedures – creation of a customs point within the park for the import/export of innovative materials.
- VAT 0% for goods in a free zone – goods supplied in the free zone are treated as exports.
Also, companies pay only the flat 11% tax on annual turnover for registration in the Durrës economic zone. Meanwhile, the government offers Immigration facilities For tech professionals: visa-free entry and a 5-year residency permit (with the possibility of citizenship after 5 years) for park members, as well as simplified procedures for digital nomads.
How is the application and selection done
To become part of the park, businesses and investors must apply online at official page . The process has two phases: (1) completing the application form according to the category (large companies, startups, academic institutions, digital nomads, etc.); (2) being invited to submit a feasibility study. After evaluation, the most promising enterprises are selected (with the highest concentration of staff and declared revenue). Priority is given to IT and R&D sector businesses, according to legal criteria. The Investment Corporation organizes transparent competitive procedures with negotiations for the selection of the park operator/developer, and then the acceptance of applications for member companies begins.
Regional models and examples
Durana is not an isolated case: the Balkan region has similar innovation models. Serbia (Novi Sad and Belgrade parks) and Croatia have already established technology parks that house dozens of innovative companies and create thousands of jobs. Pune. These models have attracted similar foreign investment and have served as inspiration for Albania. Our Law 58/2022 on technology parks is in line with the practices of the Region and Europe, creating a strong legal and fiscal basis for the development of Durana Tech Park.
The role of the “ambassador” of Durrës
As an ambassador for Durana Tech Park, you become the primary link between the park and the business community. Duties may include: presenting the park and its advantages to investor networks, organizing informative events and seminars, assisting companies with the application process, and collaborating with AIC on technical matters. The ambassador helps promote the park: inviting companies and startups to apply, facilitating meetings with park officials, and maintaining connections with key stakeholders (universities, investors, state institutions). Essentially, the ambassador works to make Durana their ideal innovation hub in Albania.
Practical steps and progress so far
The first steps have already been taken. In February 2025, Durana Tech Park was officially presented in Tirana by the Minister of Economy. Subsequently, in April 2025, the ceremonial opening took place – 24 companies, 6 startups, 2 digital nomads, and 2 academic institutions received their first membership certificates. Currently, around 50 companies have expressed interest in joining the park. According to official projections, Durana is expected to generate over 5,000 jobs and increase Albania's technology exports, with an anticipated economic impact in the billions of euros over the next 20 years.
For entrepreneurs, Durana is a concrete opportunity for development: it offers all the facilities of science park law, state-guaranteed infrastructure, and a supportive ecosystem for innovation. A business with R&D projects can leverage these incentives to reduce initial costs and expand into international markets. This is a serious opportunity for domestic and foreign investors who want to work with the latest technologies in a collaborative and fiscally beneficial environment.
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