The company that won the 5-year tender to take over the management and operation of the Container Terminal at the Durres Port, Hili Company Limited, responded to an inquiry from Euronews Albania asking for their side of the story over accusations raised by the Democratic Party on Wednesday.
The company ruled out claims raised by DP over their “alleged involvement in the Panama Papers scandal”.
“We categorically deny that any of our companies or beneficial owners are connected to the Panama Papers,” said the company in its response via e-mail.
Moreover, the company also dismissed other accusations made by former Democrat MP, Jorida Tabaku, that the “offshore company was involved in money laundering charges” and that “the administrator was under investigation in Malta” over the same charges.
“All our companies are registered with known ultimate beneficial owners and none are nominees. We are involved in two major terminals in Europe through subsidiary companies of Hili Company,” added the company.
PM Rama has also been under the accusations coming from Democrats over alleged ties in “corruptive affairs estimated at €30 million for the Durres Port terminal.”
Euronews Albania sent an e-mail to the press office of the Prime Minister asking for a comment, but has received no response yet.
A separate request for comment was also sent to the Durres Portal Authority.
According to available data published on the website of the Public Procurement Agency, there were two competing companies at race for a total value of 3.1 billion Albanian Lek: Hili Company Limited and HHLA International Gmbh (which did not submit any other bids during the second phase).
The contracting authority argued that the winning company won the race after presenting the most favorable offer.
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