After alienating the country's most coveted properties through 1 euro contracts, the government has decided to abandon the controversial mechanism. The Director of the Concessions Agency, Emiliano Gjika, declared in the Parliamentary Committee on Economy that the new law on concessions repeals the famous article, which privatizes public properties and assets through 1 euro lease contracts.
"In the new draft law, we have removed from the list of concessions the point that was for symbolic contracts for 1 euro," said Gjika.
The new law "On Concessions and Public-Private Partnerships" obliges institutions to make public the bid price, price list, catalog, and information regarding bid selection criteria.
Also, for each concession, a feasibility study must be conducted in advance and approved by the Ministry of Finance, after all costs-benefits and potential risks for the state budget have been analyzed.
Representatives of the Ministry of Finance stated that the draft law establishes clear rules for the planning, awarding, administration and supervision of concession contracts, based on the principles of transparency, non-discrimination, proportionality and legal certainty.
"The draft law aims to unify competitive procedures; strengthen ex-ante and ex-post control by the Ministry of Finance; guarantee transparent rules for the implementation and monitoring of contracts; manage risks and share them between the parties; harmonize with EU standards; increase the supervisory role of the Ministry of Finance, APP and ATRAKO, as well as promote best value for money and protect the public interest," said Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation, Blerta Rama.
According to her, the draft law supports the government's priorities for economic growth by mobilizing private capital in areas such as infrastructure, energy, environment, tourism, health and education.
The 1 euro lease contract was used to grab the most coveted coastal properties, but also in the privatization of other public assets.
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