Cape Verdean delays

The construction of the integrated resort project in Cape Verde initiated by local businessman David Chow will be delayed due to the revamp of the island settlement where the project will be developed, the African country representative at the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Forum Macao), Nuno Miguel Melo Furtado, said yesterday.
“The delay is due to the constructed settlement near the sea. According to the project developer there is the need for five to six months to solidify the land settlement,” Mr. Furtado said yesterday.
The 250 million euros (MOP2.4 million/US$300.1 million) integrated resort project is being developed by local gaming operator Macau Legend Development at the Cape Verdean capital, Praia, and will include a resort, casino, office buildings and a museum.
Parts of the 152,700 square meters project will be developed on the Santa Maria islet at the Praia bay, with parts being developed on reclaimed land.
A seawall has been concluded as part of the first phase of the construction, with the second phase comprising of the hotel construction, and with the resort opening expected for a period between 2019 and 2020.
However according to Mr. Furtado the delay on the reclaimed land development could postpone the project construction conclusion, with the Cape Verde representative not specifying if the resort opening could be delayed too.
“The project is at very early stages, still in the construction phase. According to my information the second phase will likely be started this year since the infrastructure is already visible. The project is just not going at the rhythm we wanted,” he added.
According to Mr Furtado all needed “environmental and economic” impact studies for the project were made before the resort development was allowed.
“When it comes to the economical impact in the area, this area of the capital will be developed in terms of organization, with a very important investment being made in the Praia city, attracting more tourists and more revenue to public funds,” he stated.
Environmental studies also didn’t reveal a considerable negative impact in the area due to the resort development.

Building partnership
The statements by Mr. Furtado were made on the sidelines of a seminar organised by Forum Macao on the investment environment in Portuguese-speaking countries for Chinese companies and how to enhance Macau’s role in connecting these businesses.
According to Mr. Furtado, the African country currently doesn’t intend to bring more students to Macau, with 17 Cape Verdean students currently studying Mandarin and gaming industry related course in the city as part of an agreement with the Macau Polytechnic Institute, with the students expected to work at the future integrated resort project.
“We will see how the investment in this project goes and if it is necessary we’ll bring more young people to study Mandarin and gaming [industry related courses],” he added.
However according to the Cape Verde representative the majority of workers at the David Chow project will be Chinese nationals.