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The new owner of Málaga football club, the Qatari sheik, Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani is apparently planning a large scale project ‘related to tourism and services’ in Marbella.
The Mayor of Marbella, Ángles Muñoz, said that the project was in ‘a very advanced stage’ but she did not want to give details. She said that Marbella had been chosen for the investment because of its ‘internationally known brand’. Would that be the ‘Corruption’ brand with a capital C? 😆
She said the decision would “benefit the local economy” but she didn’t mention specifically the pockets of the Town Hall decision makers. 😉 I wonder if she agreed with ol’ Sheiky not to ban the burka for an extra fiver.
I’m getting cynical in my old age….. 🙁
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Local Marbellis are very sceptical about this announcement. Why build up to a press conference and then leave it in the air….will be good for tourism, create jobs, yadda, yadda…..then no information. Remember the Guy who came on here trying to mysteriously introduce a project? Whatever it is I bet that it includes………concrete
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I worked in the Middle East for many years and I soon learned when a project was at a so-called “very advanced stage” it would more often than not simply end up disappearing into a puff of sand.
Having just purchased the football club I suspect there’s a good chance this ol’ sheiky is doing what many Arabs do – coming out with things they think people want to hear just to please them, with absolutely no intention of doing what they’re say they’ll do. It’s the Arab way, almost a courtesy.
Looking to rent a flat? A dozen Arabs will immediately say “Oh no problem, my friend has a flat to rent, I will ask him for you” even when they don’t know anyone with a flat for rent. They’re just happy they’ve made you happy! Possibly this project just started as a boast as to what he could do for the town. -
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Making fun of Arabs has past its sell by date. The Sheikh of Qatar is a very shrewd man and have a very clear vision and direction for his Country. He has built a lovely Islamic museum in Qatar.
“Qatari Diar” is one of the real investment arm. They have bought Chelsea Barracks the most expensive real estate in the world, using Candy brothers & Lord Rogers until Price Charles put spanners in the works. They are also doing projects all over the world & have underpinned many failing Banks. So respect instead of arrogance.
They are doing a project in Tangiers by the name of “Alhoura”. I & my friends had paid a reservation deposit. This was an off plan project. Due to the economic situation it had been delayed.
Myself & my friends have had our deposit refunded by simply sending two email. How many of the forum current & past members would like the Spanish developers do the same.
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Shakeel, you misunderstand my post. In no way was I “making fun” of Arabs, just stating how it is. Ten years of working with them in the Emirates I came to learn this is one of their ways and how it is. Nothing more, nothing less.
I still have many friends from that part of the world plus very proudly have a Muslim ‘Godson’ who I adore. These friends are the first to admit this is one of their ways and at least have the honesty to laugh about it. I also worked for a year for the royal family in another Middle Eastern country, and the ‘royals’ can be just as bad(!) though kindness itself.
So not “arrogance”, just informed insight from years of experience. I understand, and accept, the Arabic mindset and their ways very well, I assure you.
As I wrote: @charlie wrote:
It’s the Arab way, almost a courtesy.
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Charlie, I had not misunderstood your post nor was my reply directed towards you. It is a delusionary arrogance about emerging Countries. It was only few years ago that there were similar negative remarks about China & India. Today everybody is circling around India knowing that by 2025 Indian economy will be bigger than the economy of the USA.
It was the same approach in the past with the Spanish. I recall Spaniards being called the greasy Spaniards, Donkey riding peasants, lazy Siestas taking Spaniards. Sadly it is the same Spaniards that had taken the English for a big ride, apart from bailing out the banks, running British airports, telecoms etc.
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Shakeel I think you are over-reacting here. The main point is that a supposedly “important” tourist project is revealed at a press conference but they cannot reveal what it is. This stuff is straight from the GIL era. Makes no difference what nationality or religion the investor is. Don’t forget many in high positions in marbella town hall were up to their necks in corruption scandals and the Mayoress isn’t exactly squeaky clean. People are sceptical because of the air of mystery re. the press conference…marbella has seen it all before! Predictions are
Revitalising the marina
an Island offshore (as in Dubai)
a racecourse (doubtful as Mijas can’t make it pay)Whatever will surely be about building something. Anyone else have any guesses 💡
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Katy, just because I am coming from a different prospective with an open mind and at the same time taking interest in world affairs, its implications geopolitical/economical. It does not place me in a over reacting category.
I am well aware of Spain and the CDs and the era before Gill to this day . My many negative but real comments are all there to be read.
If this project in Malaga does not take off it will be due to some irrational behaviour or Spanish pockets not being filled.
One thing I can say that if I was looking for a property to buy in CDS for life style purposes I will buy from them as the product will be high quality & rest assured all & sundry will be done properly & legally. Is this a behaviour of some one who over reacts ??????.
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Dubai properties are mainly being done by Emaar, Nakheel and few other private developers. The Qatari Group is part of the Sovereign group from Qatar. Dubai and Qatar are not the same Country. Its like comparing Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales and calling it England.
Dubai had been the up starter in the construction field and this was a deviation forced onto them knowing well that their oil reserves will run out in a decade or two.
Qatar had entered the construction market much later after learning from others, Dubai is one of such state they had learnt from. Qatar’s gas reserves will last for hundreds of years so they were not in a mad rush to enter the market.
Their projects are all top class in terms of locations, quality etc. The forum is perhaps not aware that their Chelsea Barracks developments has 30% social housing. A plot of land that cost one billion Pounds they agreed with the council to provide social housing to the value of £300,000 million without taking the cost of construction into account. I have not seen any Council or central government spending that kind of money on social housing.
The Qatari’s are now being sued by Candy & Candy & Lord Rogers for millions thanks to Prince Charles interfering as they Architecture of the project is not to his liking.
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The Chelsea Barracks development as is was presented was never going to be allowed to proceed, Prince Charles did everyone a favour by blocking it quickly and getting a better design put forward. Like it or not, if the locals find it objectionable they will block it and it was a Fugly plan to say the least. The Lib-Cons have dropped the social element requirement which would have made no difference to local acceptability. Its Chelsea, the locals do want poor people and an Fugly collection of tower blocks. I even lived in the council buildings next to the site many years ago and I would have voted against it..
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I doubt very much that a world renown Architect like Lord Rogers would have taken his plans for approval if he knew it would be rejected by the Council. The plan were approved ( money talks & walks ) It was only when Prince Charles directly contacted the Qatari Royal family that it was shelved.
In so far as the locals not approving it, get real. Power & money over rules what local like or dislike. Personally I prefer the Prince Classical style. However as I am not spending billions I cannot call the shots.
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@shakeel wrote:
I doubt very much that a world renown Architect like Lord Rogers would have taken his plans for approval if he knew it would be rejected by the Council. The plan were approved ( money talks & walks ) It was only when Prince Charles directly contacted the Qatari Royal family that it was shelved.
In so far as the locals not approving it, get real. Power & money over rules what local like or dislike. Personally I prefer the Prince Classical style. However as I am not spending billions I cannot call the shots.
Here is reality, Prince Charles stopped the plans dead in its tracks. Don’t know where you live, but locals choose the local government and they can block any development they want. Some of the richest and most powerful people in the world live in Chelsea and they got their way.
” world renown Architect like Lord Rogers”
He is a nobody. Nobody has any respect for architects, except other architects I suppose. -
“Prince Charles stopped the plans dead in its tracks.”
Please read above. After directly contacting the Sheikh. In fact Prince Charles took a lot of flack for this as he was interfering in matters that are out of his remit. I feel that Prince Charles should stick to his styles in the mountains of Transylvania
“Don’t know where you live, but locals choose the local government and they can block any development they want”
As it happens I do not live very far and I know that a very large % of locals do not take interest. Ask them the name of their Councillors or MP’s, they will not know. Remember the consultation that was carried out for Western extension of the congestion zone or the Third runway at Heathrow.
“Some of the richest and most powerful people in the world live in Chelsea “
Yes, I am well aware of it and not of them where either against or in favour. As i am sure some of them hated the project others loved it.” world renown Architect like Lord Rogers”
Not only well known !!!!!!!! but well respected. He is no “Nash” that I admit but than we dont know how people reacted to “Nash” in his times.
“He is a nobody. Nobody has any respect for architects, except other architects I suppose.”
I think I prefer not to comment on this one. -
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After six happy years on the CDS, I left when the Arabs started to leave in ’95 and ’96. They were better informed than I was and suddenly the Russians appeared on the scene.
I took that as my cue to leave for a healthier climate. I haven’t been back much and was surprised when the OP confirmed that the Arabs were either still there, or back.
Marbella might be a hideously corrupt place, as the rest of Spain thinks, but it’s still in a beautiful location, with the allure of north Africa within swimming distance and I’ll never forget sitting on the front at Puerta Banus and watching the steady glitter of gold as the wrinklies paraded along with their wealth on their hands and wrists.
I’ll be honest, I miss it.
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The Arab ties to Spain extend well beyond Andalucia and practically the whole of Spain, for 700 years, was it?
It doesn’t explain their presence in Marbella, the beauty of Marbella does. Along with historical remnants facilitating the Arab way of doing business, we may call it corruption in the west, they don’t; they won’t buy 100 expensive fighter planes without substantial gifts to their many royal princes and they won’t invest in Marbella unless a few more princes are paid off.
The gulf between western values and the Arab way of life is vast and way beyond this simple little thread.
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My last postings on the subject. I promise.
“The Arab ties to Spain extend well beyond Andalusia and practically the whole of Spain, for 700 years, was it “
Indeed upto “Poitiers” in France where famous battle took place.
“We may call it corruption in the west “
We call it commission in the West. Let me remind you of Mark Thatcher & Jonathan Aitken a few comes to mind. Many other names would have come up if we had the BAE inquiry
” they don’t; they won’t buy 100 expensive fighter planes without substantial gifts to their many royal princes”
They have to buy them as part of world business duress to re invest the money from the Petrol that we buy from them.
“and they won’t invest in Marbella unless a few more princes are paid off.”
Spain is not on their radar nor has Spain has any real influence in the Arab world apart from the historical connection of ” Al Andalus”
“The gulf between western values and the Arab way of life is vast and way beyond this simple little thread “
Agree, its for another day.
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The Arabs have always been attracted to marbella because the climate is less hot in summer. They can also do all the things they can’t do in their own countries, buy alcohol freely and gamble at the casino at the back of Banus. Going into that casino is an eyeopener 🙄
Whilst we are totally off topic has anyone just been watching Homes from Hell? One hour of property scams in Dubai, Makes Spain (almost) look like paradise 😉 One Eygptian who had taken deposits of 50% off 80 investors only managed to erect a fence around the site in 4 years is now living in a luxury country estate in the UK. The authorities cannot touch him because Dubai will not make an official complaint against him! Maybe a bit of middle east justice would be apt such as cutting his thieving hands off!
I do question the sanity of some people who continued to make stage payments even though not a shovel of sand had been shifted.
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