Rama on Kushner’s project in Sazan Island: Crucial for Albanian Tourism
The Albanian government views investments in luxury hotels as vital for the tourism sector and former President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner’s project for Sazan Island is a perfect example of the projects Albania needs. Speaking to the Financial Times, Prime Minister Edi Rama likened the need for super luxury projects to the necessity of water in the desert. Rama revealed that it was Kushner himself who took the first step, expressing interest in investing in the pristine island of Sazan, which has served as a military base for decades.
Context
Kushner’s project for a luxurious hotel and resort was first made public in March through The New York Times. “The ability to develop 3 miles of beautiful coastline and a 1,400-hectare island in the heart of the Mediterranean is unique. The water is crystal blue like the Maldives. It’s beautiful. The beaches are unbelievable, and it’s just one of those special places,” Kushner declared.
At that time, the Prime Minister acknowledged interest in the investment but there was still no official project or request presented to the Albanian government. Nevertheless, publicly, the Prime Minister has expressed his positive stance on such an investment, which he believes will bring extraordinary profits to the Albanian economy and enhance the image of tourism in the country, where so far there has been no similar elite investment.
Kushner’s project envisions the construction of a luxury resort called “Aman” on a part of the island covering 1,400 hectares, where food will be provided by Carbone, an Italian-American restaurant network led by world-renowned chefs Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi, winners of several international awards.
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