Maldives Govt. awards Gan to J Hotels and Resorts

The Maldives cabinet has reached a final decision this week to award a key tourism development project to J Hotels and Resorts.

The Asseyri Project is aimed to develop a Tourism Zone in an area of 19 hectors in Laamu Atoll Gan, which is one of the largest islands in the Maldives.  This region will be developed with Hotels and Resort Islands. A sports complex is also a major feature of the project along with the shopping malls which will be opened for entrepreneurs.

In a reverse decision the cabinet leased the island to J Hotels for a period of 50 years. Earlier, on 29th November the cabinet had decided to withdraw the project and discontinue the deal with J Hotel and Resorts. However, Tourism Minister Mariyam Zulfa informed local press that the cabinet reconsidered that decision after ministers had a clear idea and review of the project. Zulfa said some information was missed in haste preparations when the project was first presented to the cabinet on 29th November. She cited that as the reason to initial disapproval from the cabinet.

Abdulla Jabir, Chairman of J Hotels and Resorts welcomed cabinet’s decision to continue with the project. Jabir plans for a consortium financial approach to fund the development.  According to the Tourism Minister, contract will be signed with J Hotels in January. The project is expected to begin in 2012.