
Two powerful firms are competing for one of the next towers on public property in Tirana. On one side is the firm "Alko Impex", owned by Arbër Abazi, the nephew of former MP Sadri Abazi, and on the other side is the firm "Edil Al", owned by the Dulaku brothers, who deal in construction, tourism and media.
According to documents available to VoxNews, a few days ago the Albanian Investment Corporation held a pre-qualification explanatory meeting for the subproject "construction and management of the Albanian Cadastre building", contract "Development through entrepreneurship of LIFT Tower".
It concerns several towers in the December 21 area, where the Property Management Agency and the National Inspectorate for Territorial Protection are currently located. Also, part of the project is a section of Civil Engineering.
According to the above document, researched by VoxNews, the meeting took place at the Corporation's premises a few days ago. "The meeting was attended by representatives of the interested applicants, the company 'EDIL AL IT' shpk and the company 'Alko Impex' shpk," the documents state.
But what is read from this document is Arbër Abazi's "transition" to multi-story buildings, as he will move from the dirty but profitable cleaning business to the construction business. Even on state property.
If until now it has won tenders in cleaning, but also in reconstructions and paving of squares, now the Abazes will move on to the towers, where all the builders have found "paradise", with guaranteed profits, due to the increase in the price per square meter.
The corporation writes in the document that the design studio was also present at the meeting. "The purpose of the meeting was to clarify possible questions from the participants regarding the preparation of the applications," the documents state.
The two firms asked if the project could be changed, while the Corporation writes that "yes, at this stage only the concept-idea is made available to you, which will be negotiated with the winning entity, the project will be analyzed and detailed." According to it, apart from the facade and shape, everything else is negotiable regarding LIFT Tower.
The next and most pointed question of the firms was how the Corporation's share of LIFT Tower can be valued in monetary value. "The calculation in monetary value is made according to VKM 137, amended in 2024. These projects are being developed due to public interest. It is important for the Corporation to develop public interest, therefore the works must be carried out in parallel in both buildings. The works cannot progress further in LIFT Tower than in the state building: it is stated in the response.
The companies asked the Corporation if the 3% for social housing is also included. "It is a Municipality tax. The Corporation is trying in cooperation with the central government
and local to reduce or eliminate taxes on the state building. The development permit has been obtained and is being processed," the response states.
What will happen in that place?
According to the project, a 40-story building will be built on December 21. The project is being implemented through a partnership model. It is expected that the Cadastre will receive a percentage of the construction, while the rest will be given to the private sector. So, for a 40-story tower, where thousands of square meters will be built, where the price in that area is going up to 3 thousand euros per m2, the state is expected to receive only those square meters that the Cadastre currently has. Or something less or more, where it is not yet known which officials will negotiate.
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