Monday, 5 September 2016 marked an important milestone in the development of luxury real estate in the
Commonwealth of Dominica, as the Government signed agreements with three
developers to become part of the nations Citizenship by Investment Programme pre-approved
real estate option. The three developers are Oriental Developers (Caribbean)
Ltd, represented by Mr Alick Lawrence, Ay Ay Holdings Caribbean Ltd,
represented by Mr Samuel Raphael, and Bois Cotlette Estate Inc., represented by
Mrs Rose-Anne Charles. The signing ceremony follows months, and sometimes
years, of assessment on the part of the Government to ensure that only projects
that are sustainable and in line with Dominicas nature island qualities are
approved under the Programme.
Oriental Developers (Caribbean)
Ltd will be responsible for the creation of Silver Beach Resort and Spa, a
200-room, 5-star development to be located in Portsmouth. Hundreds of local
Dominicans are expected to be hired during its construction, and around 600
employees will be required for the effective running of the resort once it is
fully operational. The hotel will be developed in the first half of 2017.
Silver Beach Resort and Spa will represent[…] and showcase[…] the natural
attributes of the nature island, said Mr Lawrence at the signing ceremony
something that is also reflected in the developments motto: escape to nature,
surrender to luxury. Mr Lawrence also noted Oriental Developers (Caribbean)
Ltds commitment to the community, and announced that a substantial financial
contribution would be made by the company to partner with the people of
Portsmouth and the Government to construct a community centre for local
Portsmouth communities.
Ay Ay Holdings Caribbean Ltd is
tasked with the redevelopment of Jungle Bay, an establishment with a long
history on the island of Dominica, which is now being transferred to a new,
larger property overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the islands famous Scotts
Head, and the town of Soufriere. Prior to August 2015, Jungle Bay had been
voted the 3rd Top Hotel in the Caribbean and had won the World Responsible
Tourism Award, and the new development is vying to be even more spectacular
providing visitors with 120 luxury eco-villas, two swimming pools, yoga
studios, restaurants, and other amenities and infrastructure. The new resort
will require over 100 staff members, and construction work will provide jobs
for 120 workers over a period of three years. Developers plan to open the first
20 suites of the development in December 2018, or early 2019.
Bois Cotlette Estate Inc. is one
of the most historical sites in Dominica, dating to 1735 and containing both
coffee and cocoa fields. Today, it already holds direct contracts with nine
cruise lines to offer tours to cruise passengers. The new development will see
the building of 90 rooms, to be held within 20 luxury villas and 15 cottages,
as well as the construction of conference facilities and sport and wellness
amenities. Ground-breaking is expected to take place in March 2017, and the new
development is due to be operational by June 2019. At least 90 direct and
indirect jobs are to be created following the commencement of the project.
Dr the Honourable Roosevelt
Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica, the Honourable Robert Tonge, Minister for
Tourism and Urban Renewal, and the Honourable Dr John Collin McIntyre, Minister
for Planning, Economic Development, and Investment, all attended the ceremony.
Minister Tonge highlighted that these developments would increase the number of
high-quality rooms and employment in management, and that staff training and
customer service would improve throughout Dominica. He also underlined that the
island would be certain to attract international brands to its shores, as well
as large conferences. The Prime Minister emphasised that the approval of these
three projects under the Citizenship by Investment Programme stands as an
example of the Governments continued effort to create a strong foundation for
private sector investment in Dominica. He also said that the Government has
every confidence in the developers to carry through on the terms and conditions
of the agreements, and that he was proud to see citizens become involved with
the Programme.
