Avni Ponari Promotes Durana Tech Park to Japanese Investors Despite SPAK Investigation
Durana Tech Park – a technology park that exists only on paper and not physically – has become associated with what has been described as a major tax evasion scheme. While the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office (SPAK) is reportedly investigating the affair, the project has also been promoted in events connected with the Japanese diplomatic community.
Avni Ponari, Honorary Consul of Japan in Vlora (with headquarters and activities in Tirana) and owner of the insurance company Sigal Uniqa, presented Durana Tech Park to Japanese investors as a promising investment model. The presentation took place during the Second Albania–Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Forum, an event organized in part by Ponari himself.
The official website of Durana Tech Park highlights its participation in the forum, where the project was introduced as an opportunity for Japanese investment in Albania.
However, critics question what innovation can be presented to potential investors when the park reportedly has no physical infrastructure and remains an empty field in reality. For months, media reports have described the project as a controversial affair. According to these reports, several companies allegedly connected to the AKSHI scandal have used the park’s status for tax evasion and other irregularities.
The issue has even been raised publicly by Member of Parliament Tedi Blushi, who, alongside journalists, has described the situation as surreal: a technology park that exists on paper but in reality is only an empty field. The controversy has led lawmakers to amend the legal framework, allowing such parks to operate not only physically, as originally required, but also virtually.
Forum Promoting Albania–Japan Economic Cooperation
The Second Albania–Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Forum took place this Wednesday in Tirana, focusing on supporting and encouraging Japanese investment in Albania.
In his opening remarks, forum organizer and President of the Albania–Japan Chamber of Commerce, Avni Ponari, emphasized that interest from Japanese entrepreneurs in Albania is real and growing. He described the forum as an ideal platform for transforming business ideas into concrete actions benefiting both countries.
Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj highlighted Albania’s potential as a gateway for Japanese investments into the region and Europe, noting that the country’s EU integration process is raising standards and attracting serious investors.
Milva Ekonomi, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Economy, expressed parliamentary support for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Japanese Ambassador Kikuko Kato praised the work of the Chamber and reaffirmed Japan’s support for Albania’s EU integration, describing the country as an important gateway for Japanese investments.
JETRO representative Manuel Kaneko emphasized three key concepts for cooperation: connectivity, clarity, and continuity. Representatives from AIDA and the Albanian Investment Corporation also presented opportunities for collaboration and institutional support for foreign investors.
The forum discussions were organized into three sessions, covering concrete investment opportunities and success stories of Japanese products in the Albanian market. Video messages were also delivered by the President of the Chiba Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Albania’s Honorary Consul in Chiba.
In his closing remarks, Ponari reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to building a sustainable tradition of dialogue and investment between Albania and Japan.