RAK to set up dolphinarium with Bulgarian partnership

The pioneering project will be a joint venture between RAK Investment Authority (RAKIA) and the Bulgarian company, Festa Holding, Bulgarian Consul General, Milen Keremedchiev said at a press conference held here yesterday in connection with the visit of a Bulgarian business delegation to Ras Al Khaimah.

He said that the Dolphinarium Project will be unique in the Gulf region and added that Festa Holding, which owns the biggest dolphinarium in the Balkans, would provide the know-how and expertise for the project. Keremedchiev said that the project would have an initial investment of USD 3 million. The dolphinarium will have state- of-the-art facilities and would house specially trained dolphins.

"The site of the dolphinarium is likely to be at the Al Hamra Village Project in Ras Al Khaimah", he said.

The Consul General said that another Bulgarian company, Electro Impex, involved in setting up of electrical engineering projects, has decided to open office in Ras Al Khaimah. He said that the firm will participate in tenders for taking up turn-key engineering projects in the power sector across the UAE.

He thanked H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and Dr. Khater Massaad, Advisor to the Crown Prince and CEO of RAKIA, for their support and cooperation in finalizing the business ventures.

Keremedchiev said that Ras Al Khaimah, with its favourable investment climate, provided a huge business opportunity for investors. "The members of our delegation are impressed by the scope of activity taking place in the Emirate and we hope to build strong business ties between Ras Al Khaimah and Bulgaria. We are also planning to operate direct flights between Bulgaria and RAK in the near future", he said.

Petia Slavova, Chairwoman of Festa Holding, said that she was impressed by the tourism potential of Ras Al Khaimah and was interested in setting up hotel ventures in the Emirate.

The 60- member Bulgarian delegation is on a four-day visit to Ras Al Khaimah on an invitation from the RAK Investment Authority to explore investment opportunities in various fields. The delegation also had a group of Bulgarian artists and folk dancers who organised the `Bulgarian Lifestyle and Culture Night' at Al Hamra Fort Hotel.

Dionisieu, head of Electro Impex company was also present at the press conference.