The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has agreed to provide Albania with Dollar 118.5 million (Euro 108.6 million) for the implementation of a nationwide street monitoring system with intelligent cameras, the Albanian interior ministry said on Tuesday.

As much as Dollar 20 million of the financing is a grant, while the remainder is a loan, Deputy Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari said during a session of the parliamentary foreign policy committee.

The Smart City project aims at improving public security through the installation of street security cameras, radars, body cameras for policemen, and noise sensors, Lamallari said.

The agreement with the UAE foresees a one-year implementation period and a four-year maintenance period, the deputy minister noted. The agreement is pending parliamentary ratification.

“This project is of vital importance for the country, increasing not only road safety parameters, but we also have an expanded concept of public safety, extending security elements and using artificial intelligence through the installation of radars, noise sensors, body cameras, both on national road axes, but also in environments with high public importance and exposure, including schools,” said Lamallari.

According to the Deputy Minister of Interior, “This is good news for teaching staff, the parent community, students and pupils who will benefit from the increase in cameras and intelligent information that is collected thanks to Smart City, the smart city and will be used for the first time in our country”. “The project will include a 12-month implementation phase, part of the agreement was also an operation and maintenance phase for 48 months. This draft law is of great importance for our country, not only for road safety but also for public safety,” emphasized Lamallari.