Companies that win concession contracts and public-private partnerships will also bear the cost of external consultancy for feasibility studies, with fees that can reach up to 1.5% of the investment value. The government has approved a special fee scheme. The Agency for the Treatment of Concessions and Public-Private Partnership (ATRAKO) is taking a more direct role in preparing studies and overseeing the implementation of contracts.
The rules are set out in decision no. 837, dated 5 November 2026, published in the Official Gazette. It implements the new law on concessions and PPPs, approved on 12 December 2025 and which entered into force on 13 October of this year. Under the previous framework, ATRAKO mainly had supporting and advisory functions for contracting authorities. Studies were prepared by the relevant commissions.
Four maximum fee limits
The decision provides for four fee levels for external consultancy. For projects up to 1.5 billion lek, the fee may reach 1.5% of the investment. For those up to 20 billion lek, 1%; for investments up to 50 billion lek, 0.75%; and for projects above this value, 0.5%.
Payments are not automatic. The decision itself states that the percentages provided constitute the maximum limits of the service fee. They do not create an automatic right to payment at that amount. The final sum must be based on actual, documented costs. It is paid by the winning operator before the contract is signed.
These payments are separate from the agency’s regular service fees. The latter range from 700 thousand to 4.2 million lek, depending on the size of the investment. The four levels of these fees remain unchanged from the 2020 decision.
Studies and bonuses for staff
The agency will draw up feasibility studies for projects of central institutions and the bodies under their authority. For local government projects, this service may be offered for a special fee. The new law also allows contracting authorities to prepare the studies themselves in the cases provided for. The agency carries out the expertise or peer review.
The decision also provides for bonuses for employees who prepare feasibility studies. Payment amounts to up to one gross monthly salary per study and no more than three studies per year. The benefit depends on documented contribution and available funds.
ATRAKO will supervise the activity of the units responsible for implementing contracts and will maintain the Register of Concessions and PPPs. For projects that may involve public funds and exceed the financial thresholds set by the Ministry of Finance, the needs assessment will be carried out according to public investment management procedures.
The existing structure of ATRAKO will continue to function until the new structure is fully established.