Investment Corporation of DUbai (ICD) intends to build an elite five-star hotel in Skenderija, confirmed the Director Executive of ICD Muhammad Ibrahim Al-Shaybani.
“Our team completed all preparations for the publishing of a tender for master plan in Skenderija three days ago. From what I can see, this is an ideal location for a five-star hotel. However, it is still too early to talk about the total announced investments. I can say ‘here, we will invest 300 million USD’, but that means nothing to us. When we finish all the projects, then we will talk about means. Nevertheless, it is certain that we will build a hotel,” said Al-Shaybani.
Director Executive of ICD stated that they want to build something special, unique and different, something that will change the image of Sarajevo.
“Sarajevo has the potential to develop like Dubai,” said Al-Shaybani, adding that the aim is to attract people from Dubai to come to BiH. However, in order to do that, the tourist offer, accommodation and hotel capacities that satisfy their needs must be reinforced first.
Al-Shaybani is the right hand of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and one of the wealthiest men in the world. The fund he leads disposes with a portfolio worth 160 billion USD. Several days ago, the ICD signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Government of the Sarajevo Canton on investments in the capital of BiH.
“We are serious investors and we are not interested in small projects. We came to Sarajevo because of large investments. My suggestion is to take a part of workers from BiH to Dubai and make them a part of international tourism market, to train them, so they can see how a huge market works. Tourism is a big chance for BiH, but BiH still does not have the capacities to satisfy the needs of guests from Dubai,” Al-Shaybani added.
(Source: ekapija.com)
