Ayla Oasis project on track
Jordan Times
July 30, 2007
By Dalya Dajani
AMMAN --The Ayla Oasis Development Company is on track with its plans for the
mega-lagoon resort project in Aqaba, with evaluation underway of seven
international contractors who have submitted their tenders for the project.
Managing director of the company, Sahl Dudin, said the company is currently
evaluating these tenders with negotiations expected to begin by the end of next
month.
"Seven international contractors have bid for the project and we plan to begin
negotiations with three or four of them by the end of next month," Dudin said.
According to the company official, the winning tenders will be awarded in early
September.
The $1.4 billion Ayla Oasis, slated for development on the northern shores of
Aqaba in the third quarter of this year, is one of the largest investment
projects under way to boost the tourism climate at the Red Sea resort.
The resort, which is being built on 430 hectares of land, constitutes a series
of man-made lagoons and water canals with several luxury hotels, residential
communities and a town centre with a marina, retail units, cafes, an 18-hole
golf course and signature nine-hole golf academy.
Dudin said the first phase of the Ayla Oasis project, which includes
infrastructure works, artificial lakes, water pumping stations and service
networks, is estimated at around $200 million.
He added that the first phase will also see the development of two hotels, 500
residential units, 50,000 commercial and retail shops, lagoons and the golf
course.