Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, has defended a proposed tourism development in Zvërnec, Albania, rejecting claims that the land was granted by the Albanian government or that the project benefited from his political ties to Trump.
Kushner said his partners purchased the land through a private transaction worth €230 million. If successfully completed, he said, the project could generate approximately €4 billion in investment, create jobs and boost Albania’s tourism sector and broader economy.
“The land was not given to us by the Albanian government. Our partners purchased it from a private party for €230 million in a private transaction,” Kushner said, adding that the property title had been reviewed by legal advisers.
He described the development as a private real estate investment based on confidence in Albania’s potential as a growing tourist destination. According to Kushner, the project would involve substantial additional private capital, with the investors assuming the financial risks associated with its success.
Kushner says project has been in development for years
Kushner said that since the land was acquired, his team had spent more than three years and tens of millions of dollars studying the terrain, the environment and the region’s development potential.
He said the team had brought together architects, designers, engineers, environmental specialists and other partners to shape the project, arguing that its purpose extended beyond real estate development to creating long-term economic opportunities for Albania.
Kushner identified Asher Abehsera, a longtime friend and business partner, as the project’s chief executive, responsible for its day-to-day operations over the past four years. He also credited Albania’s Kastrati business family with initially bringing the land opportunity to their attention.
He said Qatari businessmen Ramez and Moutaz Alkhayyat joined the partnership after he met them in Doha during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Kushner praised their business experience and their role in construction and development projects in Qatar.
Kushner stressed that he is a minority shareholder and is not involved in the project’s daily management, saying his personal contribution has focused mainly on the overall vision and design.
Rejects claims of political favoritism
Responding to allegations that the project advanced because of his relationship with Trump, Kushner said the timeline contradicted that interpretation.
He said his interest in the development began in the summer of 2021, when he was a private citizen and well before Trump announced his 2024 presidential campaign.
Kushner also addressed questions about an airport associated with the development. He said the airport had already been approved before he first became involved with the project, arguing that its existence was one of the factors that attracted his interest in the region.
The controversy has centered on claims reported in the U.S. media concerning the development rights, the absence of a public announcement or competitive tendering process, and changes to rules affecting protected land. The reporting has also raised questions about the airport’s approval within a protected area.
Kushner rejected the suggestion that the project had received special treatment, presenting it instead as a private investment. His statement represents his response to the allegations; it does not independently resolve the questions surrounding the project’s approvals and regulatory process.
Environmental approvals remain necessary
Kushner said the project would have to undergo all relevant Albanian regulatory and environmental procedures and secure the necessary approvals before proceeding.
He also said the partnership had engaged with the local community in Vlora and acknowledged that residents and other stakeholders had legitimate questions and concerns.
The stated ambition, he said, was to develop the site according to high design and environmental standards while improving the area’s greenery, biodiversity and ecological condition.
Ultimately, Kushner emphasized that the decision on whether the project moves forward rests with Albanian institutions.
“Albania will decide whether the project proceeds,” he said, adding that, if approved, he hoped it would become a development that Albanians could be proud of and that families from Albania and around the world could enjoy for generations.
