Albania gives Kushner the green light: What's the plan for Saman?

Albania's government has granted strategic investor status to Donald Trump's groom company, Jared Kouchner, to build a luxury resort on the island of Saban, currently a military base.

The Committee for Strategic Investment, led by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, on 30 December has accepted the Atlantic Enterprise Partners LLC's proposal for the 45 hectares project on the island of Saban. The project envisions an investment of 1.4 billion euros.

In the written decision, which was made public on January 15th, the Committee said the project was in line with strategic investment laws and fulfilled the number of jobs required by law, saying 1,000 people would be employed in it.

Under the law, granting strategic investor status allows the company to implement the project that is deemed strategic in an economy sector, such as tourism.

Also, this status will make the “project benefit from accelerated procedures and other benefits”.

“The value of state participation in this investment will be realised through the creation of a joint legal entity”, the Committee said, adding that the Albanian State Investment Corporation will be involved in the project.

Kouchner's Plan for Saban

In March 2024, Kouchner had published on social networks potential investment designs of his firm in Albania.

Kouchner had declared that he intends to turn Albania's largest island, Saban, located in the Middle Sea, into a luxury destination for tourists.

Saban is largely abandoned and is currently a military and semi-opened base for the public.

US President-elect Donald Trump's groom has declared that he wants to build several hotels and hundreds of villas in Zvrinec, a coastal area in Vlora, south of Albania.

In the past, in terms of Zrvenci, the Albanian government had said that it officially did not accept any interest in this investment.

Kouchner's plans had faced opposition in Albania, especially from environmentalists who had said that damage could be caused in protected coastal areas.

In March of last year, the Radio Free Europe team visited the island of Saban.

This island was mysterious for decades. It was known to be an important military base, before and during the time of communist Albania.

Now, from time to time, this island in Vlora is used by Albania's army and NATO.

The island of Saban covers about four square miles [6 sq km] and the coastline of some 15 square miles [15 sq km]. There is still no electricity or drinking water. However, there are many bunkers, whose exact number is unknown.

In addition to Albania, Kouchner intends to invest in Serbia as well. / REL/