Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of the American president, has once and for all clarified his position regarding the project that is expected to be built in the Zvërnec area in Albania. While responding to the whirlwind of accusations that the American media has leveled against him, Kushner states that he purchased the land in Zvërnec, together with his business partners, for the amount of 230 million euros. Kushner states that if the project is realized, it will be a moment of pride for all Albanians, and something that will be inherited for generations.
“The land was not given to us by the Albanian government. Our partners purchased it from a private party for 230 million euros in a private transaction, among the highest prices paid in the region for a transaction of this magnitude,” Kushner wrote.
According to him, the title deed was reviewed by legal advisors and verified before the project went ahead. Kushner stated that the project began as a private investment, based on the belief in Albania’s economic and tourism potential.
Kushner also emphasizes that the project is not related to Donald Trump’s position, as according to him, interest in development in Albania began in 2021, a time when his father-in-law was not president of the United States.
“The claim that this project was advanced to please President Trump also misrepresents the chronology. As the article itself points out, our interest began in the summer of 2021, when I was a private citizen and long before President Trump announced his 2024 campaign,” Kushner’s clarification states.
Trump’s son-in-law further states that the Vlora airport project predates his interest in the area, and is not related to any assistance that the Albanian government has provided to the American businessman.
The American media’s claim
[Kushner] had obtained the rights to develop the project without public notice or competitive procedure and that the legal amendment that enabled the use of the protected land was rushed through Parliament. Rama even allowed the construction of an airport within the protected area.
Kushner’s clarification
The land was not given to us by the Albanian government. Our partnership purchased it from a private party for 230 million euros, in a private transaction that was among the highest prices paid in the region for a transaction of this scale. The title deed was reviewed by lawyers and verified.
This project began as a direct private investment in real estate, based on our belief in Albania’s potential as a growing destination and the opportunity to create something truly special.
We are investing significant private capital, betting on a country that has never had a project of this magnitude before. There are no guarantees. We are taking this risk because we believe in Albania and the Albanians. If successfully implemented, the project could represent around 4 billion euros of investment and create significant jobs, economic activity and international exposure for Albania.
Since purchasing the land, we have spent more than three years and tens of millions of dollars studying the area, its environment, and the opportunities and needs of the region. During this time, we have brought together architects, designers, engineers, environmental experts, and extraordinary partners to conceptualize the project responsibly.
The goal has never been simply to develop the land, but to create something that can serve as a platform for long-term opportunity and growth for Albania.
Asher Abehsera, a longtime friend and business partner with a successful track record in project development, joined the partnership as a partner and project CEO and has led the day-to-day work for the past four years.
The Kastrati family, a well-known Albanian business family, with strong roots and great pride in their country, initially brought us the opportunity for this land and shares with us the belief in Albania’s potential.
I first met Ramez and Moutaz Alkhayyat in Doha during the 2022 World Cup and was impressed by their story and skills. They had fled Syria as refugees under the brutal Assad regime. Many of their properties and assets were later confiscated by the government and they were given the opportunity to rebuild their lives and businesses in Qatar.
Their arrival coincided with Qatar’s huge construction needs ahead of the World Cup, and they became deeply involved in the transformation of Doha through construction projects.
This is an important distinction: this is an investment, not something that was given to us. We bought the land for 230 million euros, we are committing significant additional private capital, and we bear the risk of whether the project will succeed or not.
If the project is realized, Albania will benefit through jobs, tourism, economic opportunities, and long-term growth.
My personal focus has been primarily on vision and design, bringing together top-notch architects, partners, designers and creatives to create a destination unlike anything else in the region. I am a minority partner and have no involvement in the day-to-day operation of the project.
The partnership has engaged extensively with the local community in Vlora. We also understand that people have legitimate questions and concerns.
The project will need to go through all relevant Albanian regulatory and environmental processes and receive the necessary approvals to proceed.
Our ambition is to build to the highest standards of design and environmental protection and to leave this extraordinary part of Albania greener, with greater biodiversity and stronger from an environmental point of view.
The claim that this project was advanced to please President Trump also misplaces the chronology. As the article itself points out, our interest began in the summer of 2021, when I was a private citizen and long before President Trump announced his 2024 campaign.
The same goes for the airport. The article implies, without fully stating, that government officials approved the airport at my request.
In fact, the airport had already been approved by the time I first saw the project and it was one of the factors that attracted me and influenced my vision of what this region could become.
Ultimately, Albania will decide whether the project will be implemented or not.
If approved, we hope to create something that Albanians can be proud of and that families from Albania and around the world can enjoy for generations.