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| According to Mohamed Alabbar, founder of the Emaar Properties group, a country’s leadership makes the difference in attracting investors. |
Global heavyweight in the real estate, tourism and hospitality sectors, Mohamed Alabbar, is prospecting in Madagascar. The man behind the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall has affirmed his interest in the tourism sector in the Big Island.
A bright future. These are the words of Mohamed Alabbar, founder of the Emaar Properties group, about the tourism and hospitality sector in Madagascar. Words he said after leaving a working meeting with Andry Rajoelina, President of the Republic, and some ministers, at the Iavoloha State Palace, yesterday.
During a brief interview with the press, at the end of this meeting, Mohamed Alabbar was rave about the potential of tourism in the Big Island. Galvanizing words given the reaction of the head of state, who stood by his side. The boss of Emaar Properties is, in fact, a heavyweight in several areas, particularly in real estate, tourism and hotels. He is one of the most powerful and influential entrepreneurs in the global real estate industry.
Emaar Properties Group is one of a handful of companies that have transformed Dubai. They have made this city-state a hub for global business and tourism, especially luxury tourism. The Burj Khalifa, which currently holds the world record for the tallest skyscraper, and the Dubai Mall, which is the largest shopping center in the world, are stamped with the seal of the company founded by Mohamed Alabbar. Added to them are several other shopping malls and luxury hotels in the United Arab Emirates, but also in several other countries around the world.
“He shaped the skyline of the Gulf countries,” says an article in the French media, Journal du Dimanche, talking about Mohamed Alabbar. Obviously, when the boss of Emaar Properties speaks of “a bright future” for tourism in Madagascar, he speaks with knowledge of the facts. Especially since the entrepreneur made an assessment on the ground before stating his findings.
On a large scale
Prior to his meeting with Andry Rajoelina, the boss of Emaar Properties spent a few days traveling through the North and North-West of Madagascar. He shared some photos and videos of his getaway on his Instagram account.
“It’s truly an incredible country. The beauty and potential of Madagascar are truly incredible. I operate in eighteen countries, so I’ve pretty much seen the world. But I see that the potential of Madagascar, even just tourism, is the future and a bright future,” says Mohamed Alabbar. He bluntly indicated that he intends to “take a serious look” at the tourism and accommodation sector. To understand it, this is a “large-scale” investment.
The boss of Emaar Properties underlines, “I operate on a large scale”, highlighting the fact that his group owns around a hundred hotels and hotel chains as well as resorts around the world. He also emphasizes the fact that the hotel infrastructures in which his company specializes are those which “have this capacity to attract quality customers and very special customers”. In other words, it refers to luxury tourism.
“(…) We are going to come to do business,” maintains Mohamed Alabbar. The luxury hotel project that he probably has in mind can be based on the recent opening of the skies of Madagascar to the Emirates company. This point was raised during yesterday’s meeting in Iavoloha. Emirates, several of whose clients are in the category of “quality clients and very special clients”, according to the founder of Emaar Properties.
The agro-industry sector, the energy sector, and even the infrastructure sector were also among the subjects discussed during the working meeting in Iavoloha. “On the food side, we are one of the largest companies in terms of food in the Middle East, so we are exploring the potential of Madagascar, with regard to the cultivation of cane. sugar, rice and also other crops. So, we are going to look at this very seriously with the support of the President,” declares Mohamed Alabbar.
At the conclusion of his brief exchange with the press, the boss of the Emaar Properties group noted another point which, visibly, motivated his enthusiasm for the Madagascar destination, namely “the leadership of the President”, who, according to him, “makes the difference”. He adds, “when there is a leadership that carries its country in its heart, it is really very special. When I spent time with his Excellency, we often talk about how we can strengthen the well-being of the population. It’s something close to his heart. And so if you have that as a focus, progress will happen.”
Garry Fabrice Ranaivoson