Jared Kushner Arrives in Albania as Government Unveils Plans for $1.4 Billion Luxury Resort

The president Donald Trumpgroom, Jared Kushnerand his wife, Ivanka Trumphave finally been granted full approval by the Albanian government to build a luxury resort on the island of Sazan.

Ivanka, 43, and Kushner, 44, who recently completed construction on their family’s Miami mansion, have spent the past year planning to transform the island of Albania—one of the last undeveloped islands in the Mediterranean—into a must-visit destination for the rich and privileged.

Now, the couple has officially received the thumbs up to go full steam ahead with their prime ministerial duties, Edi Ramawho approved Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC’s plan for a major construction and investment of $1.4 billion on Dec. 30.

According to the written approval, first obtained by Reuters, the project complies with Albania’s investment strategy rules and job creation requirements, with around 1,000 workers.

Under the country’s law, a project may be approved as a strategic investment when it is appropriate to be in a very important economic sector, such as tourism, thus allowing the investor to continue development.

“The state’s participation in this investment will be seen through the establishment of a joint legal entity,” emphasized the committee, noting that the Albania Investment Corporation will also be included.

In June 2025, Kusher and Ivanka took a big step towards realizing their dream of creating an “extraordinary” retreat in January, when their plans received initial approval from the Albanian government, according to the New York Times.

That endorsement came just two months after Ivanka’s father claimed the Democratic nominationKamala Harrisand days before his second inauguration, when the outlet noted that the project is “one of the few” involving members of the president’s family and foreign government agencies that Trump will be actively working with in the White House.

Both Kushner and a spokesman for the Albanian government have denied any suggestion that the project’s evaluation process will be influenced in any way by its connection with Trump—however, that hasn’t stopped questions from being raised about the approval.

“The fact that a famous American businessman shows his interest in investing in Albania makes us proud and happy,” the representative of the President of Albania.Edi Ramahe told the Times in 2024.

Even before the couple received approval for their plans, locals were abuzz with speculation about the project, with many now calling the island “Ishulli i Trumpëve,” which means “Trump Island.”

Both Ivanka and Kushner have close ties to the real estate industry through their families. Before President Trump entered politics, he was best known for his work as an engineer, and the Kushner family has a large portfolio of commercial, residential and retail properties in and around New York.

However, the project marks the couple’s first foray into the world of luxury hotels—with multiple reports noting that they face an uphill battle before their resort is ready for guests.

After overcoming the first hurdle—getting permission from the government to proceed with their plans—the two will now have to deal with the remnants of the island’s dark past as a Soviet-era chemical weapons storage facility.

According to an Italian journalistMarzio Mianwho visited the island in July 2024, shortly after the unveiling of Ivanka and Kushner’s plans for the 1,400-acre property, is full of “skull and crossbones signs, warning of landmines,” where visitors to the area are warned not to go too far down certain paths for fear of tripping or escaping.

Plans to remove the remaining weapons and ammunition from the island are well underway, however, as the Albanian government announced in July 2020 that members of the country’s military have been sent to Sazan to begin removing any dangerous legislation.

After Ivanka and Kushner’s plans for their resort received initial approval, the Albanian government confirmed that it would work with them to continue clearing their development site of all unexploded ordnance.

As for the dilapidated military buildings and the 3,600 abandoned buildings on the island, the couple is reportedly planning to include at least a few of them in their hotel plans – Ivanka revealing in a 2024 podcast interview that they were working with “the best builders and the best brands” to make the area “local” or “extra”.

Despite the island’s dark remains as a communist military base, tourists began flocking to its glittering beaches in 2017, when it reopened to the public after years of closure.

According to Lonely Planet, the island is easily accessible by regular ferries from Vlore, one of Albania’s most popular—and luxurious—reputations that Ivanka and Kushner will no doubt transfer to their luxury hotel.

“Once used as a submarine and chemical weapons base by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, it is now home to an Albanian-Italian military base used to fight drug trafficking,” Lonely Planet said.

“In the summer of 2017, a small part of the island was opened to tourists, making parts of its pristine coastline and historical remains accessible for the first time.”

President Rama did not hide his happiness with the Trump-Kushner development, telling The Guardian that he believes that Albania “cannot afford to exploit a gift like Sazan” and added: “We need luxury tourism like the desert needs water.”

To that end, the government is planning to build an airport near Vlore to transport wealthy tourists directly to the country’s wealthiest and most desirable area—an airport that would serve as an easy access point for Ivanka and Kushner’s hotel.

However, not everyone is happy with the project, with some critics accusing the Albanian government of not being transparent about the deal with the couple, according to the Times.

One,Agron Shehaja member of the opposition in the Albanian government, told the outlet: “Yes, in Albania, which is a poor country, it is important to develop tourism. But there has been a lack of transparency here, and it makes it look like this is a private deal with political interests for the Albanian prime minister.”

Others have expressed concern about the impact the development will have on the island’s thriving wildlife, including a self-employed tour guide.Arben Kolawho told the Independent: “The way tourism works in Sazan at the moment is helping to preserve the environment, not harming it. We shouldn’t change that.”

Although Kushner did not comment on recent reports about his proposed tourism mecca, he told The Guardian in 2024 that their plans will carefully consider Sazan’s environment—saying: “When people announce development, everyone is afraid.

“Everyone thinks the worst. But when they see the plans we have, the way we design them, the way we are honest and considerate of the environment around us, I think people will be very, very happy. And again, with development, you can never please everyone.”

It is not yet clear when he will start work in this area; However, according to ABC Albania, Kushner touched down in the tropical Mediterranean on Jan. 21. to continue the meetings about the investment and may start putting the first plans in place.