Vlorë municipality tender (about 3.5 million euro) awarded to a JV linked to Besnik Lulaj, JOQ report
Status: Allegation from JOQ; no independent confirmation.
Summary
JOQ Albania (21 Oct 2026) reports that Vlorë Municipality awarded a tender to a joint venture of VALONA KONSTRUKSION and VIBTIS, with a winning bid of about 267.5 million lekë excluding VAT (about EUR 3.5 million including VAT), some 53.5 million lekë above a rival consortium's bid. JOQ says two other bids were disqualified. JOQ states that Besnik Lulaj, owner of the Marina Bay resort in Vlorë, owns 100% of VALONA KONSTRUKSION (formerly Marina Bay Luxury Resort and Spa), and questions the fairness of the procedure.
Independent searches did not find this tender or its winner. Other Vlorë marina and promenade procurements found in the searches have different winners and values, so they do not corroborate this report. No PS link to the Vlorë municipality is stated by JOQ.
Key facts
- Winning bid: 267,545,000 lekë excl. VAT (JOQ). Rival bid: 214 million lekë excl. VAT (JOQ). Two disqualified bids: 228 and 242 million lekë (JOQ).
- Contracting authority: Vlorë Municipality (JOQ).
- JOQ references official tender documents published on 20 October 2026 but does not link them.
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (0)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
Nothing recorded in this list.
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationThat the tender was steered to a company linked to Besnik Lulaj (JOQ opinion; no document shown).
Allegations and who made them (1)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationJOQ Albania: the winning bid was higher than the rivals and the disqualification of other bids made the procedure unfair.
Open questions (2)
- Whether the tender exists on openprocurement.al or app.gov.al and who won it.
- Party affiliation of the Vlorë municipal leadership, not stated in JOQ.
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- JOQ reports no response from Lulaj, the companies or the municipality.
Figures
Money trail →Vlorë municipality tender: winning bid of VALONA KONSTRUKSION / VIBTIS JV (per JOQ)
267,545,000 lek
tenderSource label: UnverifiedStated definition: Winning bid excl. VAT per JOQ (about EUR 3.5 million incl. VAT per JOQ). Rival bid 214 million lekë excl. VAT per JOQ.
Date: 21 Oct 2026 · Payer: Vlorë Municipality · Payee: VALONA KONSTRUKSION / VIBTIS JV (per JOQ)
- Në kulmin e protestave, Besnik Lulaj i Marina Bay merr 3.5 milionë euro tender (opens in a new tab)JOQ Albania · 21 Oct 2026 · journalism · SQ
Timeline
Full timeline →Media
JOQ reports Vlorë municipality tender awarded to JV linked to Besnik Lulaj
JOQ's report (21 Oct 2026) on a tender of about 267.5 million lekë excl. VAT; not found in independent sources.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 1 source.
Source label: UnverifiedUnverified · 1 source
- Publisher
- JOQ Albania
- Date
- 21 Oct 2026