Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/345566
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 13 JULY 2014 News 7 JAMES DEBONO SEABANK owner Silvio Debono has revealed filing a €150 million bid for a land reclamation project which includes real estate, in an interview with the Report Company, an inter- national business magazine. "We are also interested in land rec- lamation and are investing €150 mil- lion," Debono said. Contacted by MaltaToday, Debono confirmed his interest in land rec- lamation but refused to reveal any details on the site earmarked for the massive project. Debono said that it would be inop- portune to divulge any information because of the pending selection process being undertaken by the gov- ernment after a call for expressions of interest was issued last year. In his interview Debono also re- vealed that his company is looking for international partners. "We are not looking so much for partners with liquidity; the most im- portant thing is that they will have the connections to bring clients to buy the apartments." He also revealed that he was "think- ing of going to China" to start looking for partners. "It is all in the pipeline and I am very enthusiastic about this," Debono said in the interview. Last week MaltaToday revealed that a new company owned by Adrian Buttigieg and Saviour Ellul, who are also partners in the Malta National Aquarium, has presented another land reclamation bid. When contacted Ellul did not reveal the site identified for this purpose or whether the development consists of an artificial island or an extension of the coast. "It is up to the government to pub- lish the bids and we await the govern- ment's directions on which sites will be considered and what sort of devel- opment will be allowed," he said. 21 land reclamation proposals are currently being assessed by a govern- ment committee evaluating a new se- ries of mega-projects that range from a motor sport racing track, to floating villages, business centres and hotel resorts. Bidders for land reclamation projects have signed a confidentiality agreement in which they acknowl- edge the government's discretion as to whether or not it issues a competi- tive tender after the initial bids are analysed by the Government Prop- erty Division. Bidders had to pay a €5,000 fee for the expression of interest, and were bound by a confidentiality agreement not to disclose to third parties any in- formation contained in the EOI docu- ments, for the next three years. Last month MaltaToday revealed that the construction of an artificial island along the coast road opposite Qalet Marku is one of the preferred options among the 21 land reclama- tion proposals made, which are cur- rently being considered. No policy currently exists to regu- late land reclamation but the new Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED), which is set to replace the structure plan, in- cludes a reference to land reclama- tion. Debono recounts humble origins In the interview Debono, who owns the Seabank group, spoke about his humble beginnings as a waiter. "Af- ter working as a barman for a while, there was an opportunity to take on a small tearoom and that's when I started my own business." Debono recounted how he bought a small guesthouse to turn it into the SeaBank Hotel. "I didn't have the money, but because he used to see me work- ing seven days a week and 16-hour days, we made an agreement for me to become a partner without pay- ing a single penny, based on profits. We started with a restaurant, then I opened a bar, then a discotheque, then a pizzeria and it was a success." Debono also revealed that at the time of the first extension of the hotel from a nine-room guesthouse to an 80-room hotel he only had €120,000 when he needed €1.9 million. "That's when I decided to become a contractor, because my thinking was that if I am a contractor and I do this project and I earn 30%, it means that by the time that I open I would have €600,000 as a profit to put into the hotel." In the same interview Debono also announced the opening of a new ho- tel in Malta in three or four years' time. "In three or four years' time we are going to open a third hotel in Malta," he said. The MEPA board approved the controversial extension of the Sea- bank Hotel on agricultural land in February 2010 despite objections by environmentalists. Debono had backed a proposal by former Minister Austin Gatt to relo- cate a the Ghadira coast road in a bid to extend the beach right up to the hotel. But the government halted the project after environmentalists ob- jected to the new road passing right behind the Ghadira nature reserve. MC Course a two year Matriculation Certificate Course for entry into the University of Malta. AIO Course a two year course for students who want to study subjects at Advanced/Intermediate and O Level. The School cordially invites you for Information Talks being held on Wednesday 16 th July 2014 at 10.00 am or 6.30 pm in the School Hall. SEC Level Course a one year course for students who need to upgrade their O Level. Address: Giovanni Curmi HSS, New Street in Main Street, Naxxar NXR 1971 Tel: 21416422/21431407, E-mail: gcurmi.hss@gov.mt, Website: www.gchss.edu.mt More warnings, fewer fines on sea safety JAMES DEBONO 417 of the 603 vessels inspected by Transport Malta last year were found contravening safety at sea regulations. In 2013, 333 warnings were is- sued against vessels in breach of regulations related to safety at sea, more than double the 153 warnings issued in 2012. The number of vessels inspected also shot up from 330 in 2012 to 603 in 2013. But although the number of warnings and inspections in- creased drastically over 2012, the number of charges actually went down from 119 to 84. According to TM's annual re- port the authority's policy is based on the "educational aspect of enforcement". According to the report the enforcement of- ficers mainly focused on the most "persistent" problem being faced, that of overspeeding close to shore. TM is aiming at establishing a continuous presence in the main beaches during peak hours in summer through bay coordi- nators. These coordinators are responsible for ensuring that sea craft owners abide by regu- lations. One area targeted by these coordinators was the Blue Lagoon in Comino, which is the busiest and most popular area. The enforcement directorate has also carried out inspections to ensure that moorings are per- mitted by TM. Seabank owner announces €150 million land reclamation bid