An investor from Macau yesterday announced plans for a $2billion project, which includes a casino and a 1000-room 7-star hotel.
David Group Fiji casino project head Sandeep Singh said the company had been dedicated to the development of the entertainment, tourism and real estate sectors and was keen to branch out into Fiji.
Yesterday the company called a media conference to clarify what it said were false and misleading information on social media about the proposed casino project.
“The first phase of the development costing $1billion includes a stand-alone casino and 1000-room luxury integrated 7-star hotel with restaurants, conference rooms, a business centre, shopping mall, marina and the infrastructure required to connect this multifaceted development,” Mr Singh said.
“The second phase costing another $1 billion would include an amusement park Disney-style, indoor rugby stadium and entertainment complex and luxury sub division.”
Mr Singh said the project was in line with a government agenda of private sector-led growth that added value to the domestic economy while boosting exports in the services sector.
“It also satisfies a need to increase the capacity and scope of the tourism industry in Fiji.”
Mr Singh said while it understood Fiji had been averse to gambling, casino tourism was commonplace in many parts of the world and an important part of the David Group model.
“A casino would provide the opportunity to diversify the Fijian tourism sector and entice more tourists from China.”
He said if the project was approved, development would take place in 2026.
However, when asked about the location, Mr Singh said they would be buying land to build the casino only if they were given a licence.
“It would be in Southern Denarau or Wailoaloa in Nadi but we have no finalisation at the moment because we can’t buy land without having a licence in our hand.”
