Ammon News - The Egyptian developer of a $250m project planned along the shores of the Dead Sea in Jordan has said that it will be up and running by 2009.

Salah Amer, chairman of Amer Investment Group said that its project could increase the number of visitors to the area by around 250,000 a year, while also creating thousands of Jobs for Jordanians, according to state news agency Petra.

The firm held a meeting with Jordan Development Zones Commission's acting investment and infrastructure commissioner, Khaled Abu Rabeeh, at which it praised the Jordanian governnment's pledge to provide the necessary facilities for the site and to remove any barriers to construction.

He added that the company would abide by Jordan's renewable energy and fuel efficiency rules as well as setting up desalination plants and other equipment to make the most of natural resources.

The site will contain a five-star hotel, 3,000 new apartments and villas, a mall, restaurants, cafes, a health resort and sports facilities, including swimming baths.

Abu Rabeeh added that the Development Zones Commission would continue to work with Amer Group to ensure the project can start on site as soon as possible.

*constructionweekonline.com