Shefqet Kastrati

Shefqet Kastrati (born 1961) is an Albanian entrepreneur and founder of Kastrati Group, a leading privately-owned conglomerate in Albania, established in 1991. Known for his visionary leadership, Kastrati has driven the group’s success across diverse sectors, including hydrocarbons, infrastructure, insurance, construction, tourism, hospitality, and automotive distribution.

Kastrati Group operates in Albania and the Balkan region, employing over 4,000 people. The company is the top retail and wholesale trader of hydrocarbon products in Albania, with 150+ fuel stations and a fleet of 120 tankers.

Career Highlights:

Hydrocarbons: Kastrati Group leads Albania’s fuel sector, with a storage capacity of 130,000 metric tons and a wide network of stations.

Infrastructure: A key investor in Tirana International Airport (TIA), Kastrati Group helped modernize the airport, which now serves as a growing regional hub.

Insurance: Through Albsig, Kastrati Group offers a range of insurance products, in partnership with global reinsurers.

Construction: The group is developing Downtown One, a 37-story mixed-use tower in Tirana, soon to be Albania's tallest building.

Hospitality: Partnering with Hyatt Regency, Kastrati Group has introduced international hotel brands to Albania.

Automotive: Since 2015, the group has been the exclusive distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Albania through Auto Star Albania.

In December 2020, Kastrati Group acquired the management concession for Tirana International Airport from China Everbright Limited, contributing to its expansion. By 2024, passenger numbers are projected to exceed 10 million.

Philanthropy
Kastrati is committed to giving back, supporting relief efforts during crises like natural disasters. The group has provided financial aid and assistance to affected communities.

Recognition
In 2017, Kastrati was named "Businessman of the Year" by Koha Jonë and was awarded the Order of Merit "Grand Master" by Prime Minister Edi Rama for his contributions to Albania's economy.

Recent Developments
In 2023, Kastrati signed an agreement with French President Emmanuel Macron to enhance economic ties between Albania and France. Kastrati Group also made its first U.S. investment by acquiring the SLS Brickell Hotel in Miami for $53.5 million.

Kastrati continues to lead Kastrati Group’s global expansion, contributing significantly to Albania’s economic growth.