Home Property Dubai ploughs Dh844.5 m in eight tourism projects

Dubai ploughs Dh844.5 m in eight tourism projects

Dubai : Continuing its aggressive growth here and abroad, Dubai World yesterday said it would invest Dh844.5 million ($230 million) in eight tourism projects in Rwanda which include luxury hotels, a residential and golf course development and a national park. The state-owned conglomerate said it the developments would be done in partnership with the government of Rwanda. Through its subsidiary Istithmar Real Estate, Dubai World plans to redevelop the 60-room Akagera Game Lodge at the 1,000-square kilometre Akagera National Park. The investment involves the building of an upscale 150-room hotel at Kigali Golf Course, in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, an 18-hole golf course, a golf-and-country club and townhouses and villas.  It will also redevelop the Gorilla Nest Lodge at Volcanoes National Park, where two-thirds of the last 680 gorillas in the world live, and develop an eco-lodge adjacent to a tea plantation in the Nyungwe Forest National Park, which protects one of the largest single tract of mountain forest remaining anywhere in Africa. In the capital Dubai World is to redevelop Kigali Golf Course and build a 150-room hotel, as well as townhouses and villas. The company's chairman, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, said that work on the development would start before the year ends. Dubai World's investment arm, Istithmar Real Estate, will develop and manage the assets. Saying that the deal is the beginning of a "strategic partnership" between his company and the government of Rwanda, Sulayem said: "We have a strong understanding and affinity with our new partners, and look forward to building a long-term relationship that will see Dubai World play an active role in the master-planning of the country." Sulayem stressed that sustainable development, or having progress without hurting the environment, is Dubai World's policy for any tourism development especially for Rwanda, which is rich in natural resources.

 

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