1922-2022: The first centenary of the relations between Albania and Japan is being marked by different events in Tirana to commemorate this significant milestone in the history of the establishment of diplomatic relations in April 1922 followed by outstanding acts like the signing of the First Trade Treaty between the two countries in 1930 and the opening of the Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Albania in Osaka in 1935.

The relations, which were severed after World War II, were restored in 1981 and the first Albanian Embassy in Japan was opened in Tokyo in 2005. In the meantime Japan appointed the resident Ambassador to Tirana in 2017, while the Honorary Consulate of Japan in Tirana was opened in 2009.

In the frame of this 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations another remarkable milestone stands out, which is the establishment of the Albanian-Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry. Among those who attended the ceremony on May 20, 2022 was also the Japanese Ambassador to Tirana, Takada Mitsuyuki who said in his remarks that the Chamber will be a partner with different groups of interest and will cooperate directly with the administration, commercial and industrial organizations, chambers of commerce and industry as well as with the other institutions in the country.

To speak in more detail about this event Albanian Daily News had an interview with the President of the Chamber, Avni Ponari, who is also the Honorary Consul General of Japan to Albania for many years.

“We will try to be different from the other Chambers. We will try to be the voice of the business, and very clear in our programs and goals,” said Ponari, who revealed that the major target of the program of the Chamber for this year is the increase of the number of members. “In addition there will be mutual visits and meetings with various businesses in Japan participating with a business delegation for the first time in order to create opportunities for recognition and cooperation with our Japanese counterparts.”

According to him, the idea for the creation of this Chamber came as a need, but also as a mission and an important step for the further strengthening of Albania-Japan relations. Japan is a country with extraordinary economic potential and as such offers endless opportunities for Albanian business, Ponari said, adding that Albania also offers very good opportunities for Japanese investors. Further he noted that Albania is a gateway for all Japanese investments towards the Balkans and the Chamber will work for Tirana and Albania to be a coordinating point for all Western Balkan countries regarding Japan.   

“The game has begun. Business requires partnerships, asks for trust and then of course the performance will be normal. Given my experience with the Japanese there is no ‘let’s see, let’s talk, let’s think'… Regarding them, these should be done before the meeting where decision- making and strategy building are needed to conclude agreements and build businesses,” said President of the Albanian-Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry, Avni Ponari in the following interview:

 - At the outset, let me extend congratulations over the establishment of the Albanian-Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry and your assignment as its President. Please could you reveal to us how such a project was framed coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Albania and Japan?

- 100 years ago, in April 1922, the Albanian State, which was barely recovering, established diplomatic relations with Japan. It was a time when the largest and most important countries in the world were recognizing and establishing diplomatic relations with Albania, among them the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

The First Trade Treaty with Japan of 1930 and the opening of the Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Albania in Osaka in 1935 are major milestones in the history of the relations between Albania and Japan.

The history of our two countries marks very bright milestones, among which stands out the Opening of the Honorary Consulate of Japan in Tirana, in 2009.

The relations, which were severed after World War II, were restored in 1981 and the first Albanian Embassy in Japan was opened in Tokyo in 2005. In the meantime Japan appointed the resident Ambassador to Tirana in 2017.  

- Before talking concretely about the Chamber, please Mr. Ponari, what is the significance of the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Tirana and Tokyo and what are your expectations for their future? 

- In addition to the importance, this anniversary has special values. Japan is a friend and ally of Albania. It is among the first countries to recognize Kosovo's independence. On the other hand Japan is the third largest country in terms of economic development in the world. So there are lots of interesting things and facts on this anniversary.

In the future there will be many activities in our country such as the "Japan Week in Albania".

- In the meantime, could you share with ADN’s readers what has triggered your interest in Japan which has turned into your active engagement in concrete actions to promote the relations between the two countries?

- I have been the Honorary Consul General of Japan in Albania for many years. Candidates for this post have been many personalities from the business world, who were also interviewed. But it turned out in the end that I was the pick up for that post.

Their criteria for holding such an important task are very strict but apparently I met them and here I am today.

- Touching upon the Chamber, Mr. President, which are some of the main highlights of its work platform and although these are the first months of its activity, how much are your team and members of the Chamber motivated to accomplish the set objectives?

- We will try to be different from the other Chambers. We will try to be the voice of the business, and very clear in our programs and goals.

The major target of the program for this year is the increase of the number of members. In addition there will be mutual visits and meetings with various businesses in Japan participating with a business delegation for the first time in order to create opportunities for recognition and cooperation with our Japanese counterparts.

- You have been Japan’s Honorary Consul General to Albania for a long time. How will such an experience help you in the position of President of the Albanian-Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry?

- Honorary Consul and President of the Chamber have more or less a mission. On the one hand you are the representative of the country that has nominated you as consul and on the other hand you are the President of the Chamber.

They have a lot in common and few exceptions.

I believe and hope that we will know how to walk in the right way on this path that we have launched.

- Japan's official development assistance to Albania amounts 25.278 billion yen in total, or approximately 179 million EUR (Exchange rate 1EUR=141JPY, as of May 2014); Grant Assistance: 4.98 billion yen; Yen Loans: 18.092 billion yen; Technical Cooperation: 2.206 billion yen. In what sense has such assistance helped Albania, and to be more concrete how has it improved the well-being of the people?

- Japan is one of the first countries to come close to us with important aid projects. And their help has been in machinery, medical equipment and other modern types.

So, they have always tried to bring the latest technology and tools obliging you to use and put them to work to help the business.

- Following the assistance of Japan in years it is easy to notice that most of the aid has gone to serve the social needs of communities like health service, tourism, education, water sewage systems, civil fire departments, and the map of its distribution has covered almost all municipalities, particularly the small ones. Will we see a push of cooperation in trade exchanges and on top of all how will the Chamber encourage Japanese companies with their investments in Albania?

- Investments have just started and very powerful companies like Sumitomo, with 1,500 employees, have just started coming. In the meantime we are aiming at new works and investments.

There are some ideas and some projects which we are following carefully to see the ways forward.

The idea for the creation of this Chamber came as a need, but also as a mission and an important step for the further strengthening of Albania-Japan relations. As I mentioned above, Japan is a country with extraordinary economic potential and as such offers endless opportunities for Albanian business.

But on the other hand, Albania also offers very good opportunities for Japanese investors.

In our view, Albania is a gateway for all Japanese investments towards the Balkans. We will work for Tirana and Albania to be a coordinating point for all Western Balkan countries regarding Japan. 

- Probably it is too soon to say, but have you seen an increase of the interest of the Japanese businesses in Albania? In addition, how much are Albanian businesses prepared and eager to establish cooperation with Japanese businesses?

- It is important to know Albania. This is the essence. I think the Japanese are open to doing business all over the world. While we need to tell them who we are, what we offer, how willing we are to work and how we work.

I think that if we first create reciprocal recognition then trade exchanges will come. We are a small country but we have what we can offer to Japanese businesses. But first we should meet, discuss and then move on.

The game has begun. Business requires partnerships, asks for trust and then of course the performance will be normal. Given my experience with the Japanese there is no ‘let’s see, let’s talk, let’s think'… Regarding them, these should be done before the meeting where decision- making and strategy building are needed to conclude agreements and build businesses.

- To conclude, Mr. Ponari, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been active in Albania with many different projects. How do you see Chamber's cooperation with JICA given its experience and contribution to Albania and the Western Balkans for a long time? 

- It is an important financial institution that, of course, requires serious partnership and compliance with agreements. Somewhere we have made mistakes as they are not being more active but we will try to overcome every obstacle and stalemate of the past and JICA will turn to the previous position. The Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Takada is working hard.

It is fortunate for Albania that the Ambassador of Japan comes from the business world after being the CEO of Mitsubishi. Do you understand what this means? A big name in world business!