Jared Kushner’s company secures strategic investor status for $1.4 billion island resort in Albania

Jared Kushner’s company, Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC, has been granted “Strategic Investor with Special Procedure” status by the Albanian government for the development of a $1.4 billion luxury resort on Sazan Island. The decision, approved by the Strategic Investments Committee led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, was finalized on December 30, 2024.

The project, spanning 45 hectares (8% of the island), is poised to transform Sazan into a premier tourist destination. Planned developments include a marina, luxury accommodations, high-standard residences, gastronomic zones, and recreational areas. The project is expected to generate 1,000 jobs and boost Albania’s tourism sector significantly.

Why is this important: The project is one of the largest tourism investments in Albania’s history and is being hailed as a vote of confidence in the country’s economic potential and stability. Its scale, projected economic impact, and strategic significance highlight Albania’s growing appeal as a destination for major international investors. Moreover, Kushner’s involvement has drawn significant attention, enhancing Albania’s visibility on the global stage.

The resort is part of broader efforts to position Albania as a hub for high-end tourism and further integrate it into the global economy. In addition to boosting Albania’s image as a tourism destination, the project reinforces the country’s growing strategic importance. On the same day the decision was announced, Prime Minister Rama revealed that Albania had been selected for a $1 billion U.S.-funded energy project and finalized a trilateral energy agreement with Italy and the UAE, further underlining Albania’s emerging role in the region.

Context: The Strategic Investor status grants Kushner’s company a 10-year window to develop the project with priority access to expedited permits and procedures. Under the plan, the Albanian government will partner with Kushner’s company through a joint legal entity involving the Albanian Strategic Investment Corporation (AIC) and the Albanian Seaports Development Company (ASDC). State institutions, including the ministries of Infrastructure, Defense, Environment, and Economy, will assist in securing public land and providing necessary documentation for the project.

Atlantic Incubation Partners is required to finalize a contract with the Strategic Investment Corporation and ensure key infrastructure needs, including water and energy, are met during the construction phases. The project is divided into three phases, with each step subject to compliance and oversight under Albania’s strategic investment framework.

Economic and strategic significance: The project is important not just for its economic impact but also for its symbolic and strategic value. It highlights U.S. confidence in Albania as an investment destination and strengthens ties between the two nations. The Kushner project complements Albania’s recent efforts to attract global investors, particularly in the tourism and energy sectors, and positions the country as a key player in regional cooperation.

Addressing criticism: While the project has drawn criticism from some opposition voices for a lack of transparency and competitive bidding, its announcement has also shifted the narrative surrounding Albania’s relationship with the U.S. The Kushner-led investment is already being seen as pouring cold water on opposition leader Sali Berisha’s claims that a Trump administration would inherently favor his Democratic Party.

In reality, Albania’s relationship with the U.S. has long transcended political affiliations. Left-wing Albanian governments have worked effectively with Republican administrations, while Berisha himself has worked well with Democrat administrations during his tenure. Furthermore, despite initial criticism of Donald Trump during his first run for the presidency from Prime Minister Rama, the Trump administration marked a surge in U.S.-Albanian cooperation. Defense Secretary James Mattis was instrumental in granting Albania the modernization of the Kuçova Air Base, and following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Albania’s decision to host Afghan evacuees earned bipartisan praise in Washington.

Additionally, Rama is reported to have developed good relations with Kushner, Ivanka Trump, and other figures in Trump’s administration. These relationships have laid the groundwork for further economic and strategic collaboration, as evidenced by the Kushner project.

Next steps: Atlantic Incubation Partners will proceed with finalizing the investment agreement and preparing for the construction phases, while the Albanian government continues to provide facilitation for the project.