Calhete Grande - Profile Group Dubai Cesaria resort on hold
Dubai investors led by Hanif Patel `s Profile Group had plans for
what might have been the biggest property complex in the Cape Verdes
at the Cesaria Resort on Praia da Calhete Grande in the south of
the island. Patel fron an Ugandan Asian family who moved to Lancashire
when he was a child first worked as a cook in the family`s hotel
in Lancaster. After a stint as a television repairman he made his
fortune in import/export of mobile phones, exploiting some VAT anomalies.
He sold development property in Dubai door-to-door in the UK through
laptop salesmen.
The plot would cover 1300 ha and include 2,200 apartments and 1,700
villas eventually. Also under consideration are hotels and a golf
course. But Dubai`s financial markets have imploded and Patel ihas
left Dubai. Dubai might have been the one spot with enough risk
capital and expertise to build a speculative golf course based on
desalination.
Economy Minister Joao Pereira Silva who had an all -expenses paid
trip in a private jet to Marrakech gave a green light but roll-out
is now unlikely and Silva has lost his job in the government after
questions arose about payments outside of contract.. Various English
and New Zealander staff worked for the company but it is no longer
operational as Patel is reported to be in Mauritius..
Profile Group becomes a victim of Dubai Financial Meltdown
British civil engineers Arup comment.
"The site is 1,298 ha of land which spans four valleys that front
the sea along two stretches of beach. It is a pristine environment
that provides the habitat for rare plants and insects – minimising
the impact of the development is a key objective. The development
has been sensitively planned to sit within the valleys with the
built works integrated into their surroundings. It is envisaged
that new areas of planting could make a positive contribution to
landscape quality. The provision of infrastructure is a challenge.
The intention is to create a resort that benefits the community,
but in no way burdens it. It is being planned to be as self-sufficient
as possible with its own desalination plants for water, wind turbines
backed by bio-fuel powered generators for energy and a recycling
centre and incinerator to take care of waste. The project is being
built in phases valley by valley and enabling works were due to
start in the summer of 2007. Phase 1 was due for completion in 2009."
Profile Group`s Patel aka Khoda 