Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 18 Feb – Dubai state-owned company Dubai World has announced that it will invest US$200 million in the Bilene resort near the Mozambican capital of Maputo.

According to newspaper Emirates Business, Dubai World Africa plans to build a five star hotel in Bilene as well as beach cabanas and apartments along with an international standard golf course, which will be served by their own airport.

The location of the project includes the Sao Martinho lagoon, a natural reserve which is a nesting area for turtles.

Eco-tourism will be the project’s focus and the natural reserve will be managed by Dubai World Conservation Africa in the future.

The tourist resort will be equipped for all kinds of water sports including a diving center.

Dubai has already invested in a Mozambique via its acquisition of a stake in Maputo’s container terminal and, more recently, in the company that manages the port, together with South Africa’s Grindrod and Mozambican state port and rail manager Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique. (macauhub)