FINANCE Minister Harris Georgiades on Friday laid the foundation stone of the Ayia Napa marina which is expected to be completed in five years.
Georgiades was standing in for President Nicos Anastasiades who had to travel to Israel to attend the funeral of the country’s former president Shimon Peres who died on Wednesday.
Τhe €220m project expected to be completed in 2021, will have both a residential and commercial use as it provides for the construction of 190 luxury one to four-bedroom apartments in two twisting towers, 29 villas, a 600-berth full-service marina and boatyard as well as shops and waterfront restaurants and other amenities for residents and visitors.
The marina’s wet slips will accommodate yachts up to 60 metres in length, 80 metres by advance arrangement, while for the dry stack facility, a premium valet service will be provided. Amenities offered will include comfort stations with showers and toilets, internet access, a dedicated crew lounge, a yacht club and beach club.
The project is being carried out by M.M.Makronisos Marina Ltd, whose shareholders are Gemini Real Estates Ltd owned by the Egyptian investor Naguib Sawiris and the Cyprus-based Caramondani Group.
Attending the event were the Cypriot entrepreneur Gerasimos Caramondanis and Sawiris, the health, transport and commerce ministers, the Ayia Napa mayor and other local officials.
Anastasiades said in his address, read by Georgiades, that the first actions for the promotion of the project in question, date all the way back to 1993.
“I am delighted because the efforts have been completed and the project has been awarded through the Design-Build- Finance-Operate-Transfer method”.
Upon its completion, the Ayia Napa marina will be declared as an official entrance point to the Republic, the president said.
Cyprus ought to monitor and adopt modern and effective business tactics as the business environment is ever evolving, he added.
“We ought to constantly improve conditions so that the public and private sectors in close cooperation with foreign investors can create projects that will enhance our country’s competitiveness, improve services while at the same time contribute to the wider development with respect to the environment”.
This is such a project, he said, which was the decades-old vision of those who had “foreseen Ayia Napa’s prospects and its crucial contribution to the tourism development of the island”.
He added that the marina will enhance the wider area’s growth prospects.
The president also thanked Sawiris, “for showing faith in our country for such an important investment”.
“This is the rationale behind our efforts to attract foreign capital and foreign investors in Cyprus, who in collaboration with Cypriot enterprises, such as the Caramondani Group will develop value added projects that will create new jobs and will contribute to the further growth of Cyprus economy”.
Construction works are expected to create more than 800 new job positions for contractors and subcontractors while 200 people will be employed for the operation and management of the project after its completion
“We’re not just building a place to live. We are launching a new era in modern beachfront living,” said Sawiris. “Each luxury residence will feature uninterrupted panoramic views of the Mediterranean paired with comfortable, spacious living space. We will exceed the expectations of our residents and our guests and not only transform the Cyprus skyline but change the way you think about Cyprus”.
“Cyprus is a safe haven blessed by beautiful nature, year-round sunshine, modern infrastructure, a high standard of living and a genuine culture of warmth and hospitality,” said Stavros Caramondanis, Ayia Napa Marina CEO. “We have worked endlessly for many years to design and present a development that will not only offer exclusive properties, excellent facilities and services, but most importantly respect the environment and enhance the natural beauty of the area”. He added that the aim is to set exceptional standards to attract high quality tourism and also create an opportunity for a new beginning for the wider area and Cyprus as a whole. “We trust that our investment will result in the revitalisation of Ayia Napa, transforming it into the jewel of the Eastern Mediterranean”.
For more information about the Ayia Napa marina: marinaayianapa.com.
