Individuals, businesses invited to invest in Ile Soleil |11 November 2013

2020 Development, the company ensuring the promotions of Ile Soleil, last Friday held an ‘Invest in Ile Soleil’ forum at the Seychelles Trading Company’s (STC) conference room.

The forum consisted of presentations whereby only potential Seychellois investors were briefed on investment opportunities on the reclaimed island off Anse Aux Pins, before being given the opportunity to visit the island as part of an ‘Ile Soleil Open Day’ on Saturday, and evaluate for themselves the plots of land on offer as well as the overall development plan.

During Friday’s presentations, the promoters informed the audience that apart from the construction of government housing, a secondary school and health centre on the island, Seychellois individuals and companies will be allowed to buy land on a 69- year lease. The new owners will have the choice to erect residential, tourism and commercial infrastructure.

However, although the property bought will be transferred to the developer as a freehold, the latter will not be allowed to sell it within the first five years.

If 47 plots are available for residential purposes and the possible construction of simplex, duplex, condominiums or apartment blocks not higher than two floors, seven have been earmarked for commercial infrastructure. This may include shops, offices, restaurants and other entertainment space.

The price of sale, which ranges from R1,080 per square metre for residential developments to R2,950 per square metre for commercial ones, will include pre-installed facilities. This will consist of road access by a causeway connecting Mahé from the present Anse Aux Pins market area, utilities, telecommunication lines, sewerage and street lighting.

All utilities and telecommunication supply will be underground as part of an architectural code designed for the island. Developers are being invited to join in the architectural code which will promote and show respect for traditional architecture allowing for example free flow of air and low energy use.

The plots are available for open tender with the deadline for submission of bids fixed for December 23 of this year.

In the meantime, for more information and application forms, interested investors can call at the Ile Soleil sales office at the International Conference Centre (ICCS). They can also visit the company’s website, www.ilesoleil.sc or consult its Facebook page.

Construction work is due to start in March next year. When completed in December 2015, the Ile Soleil project, which has been referred to by its promoters as “a great investment opportunity where a new day begins for a new way of life in Seychelles”, is planned to become a modern village accommodating around 1,000 inhabitants.