British multi-millionaire investor, Peter de Savary has dismissed claims being made in some local quarters that he has sold out the Port Louis marina project to Camper and Nicholson Marina Investments Limited.
"There are many rumours around in the island that I have sold out to Camper and Nicholson and I'm leaving. Just don't believe any of them, I'm going no where," de Savary said.
The Port Louis developer was at the time addressing the opening ceremony of the Marina and Creole Village project which he developed along the Lagoon Road in St. George's.
de Savary said that Camper and Nicholson is merely taking over the first phase of the marina to bring it to its full potential.
He described Camper and Nicholson as being the leading foremost marina owners and operators and said it was a great opportunity for Port Louis and a greater opportunity for Grenada as a whole to have that specialist marina investment company on the island.
"They have good taste, they have good style, they understand what it is all about. They are highly professional, they are very honourable people," he said."They are an international brand, and when people see that Camper and Nicholson are here with the Marina, it gives them a feeling of security," he added.
According to de Savary, a development such as Port Louis is quite complicated and the plan is to ensure that the project becomes the number one marina in the Caribbean in due course.
He stated that the marina in St. George's is one of the few that can take the largest yachts in the world.
"To create a world class marina would truly be an iconic thing for the country," de Savary said.
The investor indicated that it is not just the direct jobs and economic benefits that the marina will bring, but the many indirect benefits through the shops that are already opened.
de Savary said the intention of the operators of the marina is to provide a subtle difference to the yachtees from all of the other countries that they may visit.
The Port Louis developer said that in order to have achieved such a complex project within a reasonable time-scale the vision had to be created with the master developer remaining to bring it all together and be able to invite other experienced, successful participants.
"We are on a path .... to continue this year to invite in other specialist organisations from around the world who we think would be compatible with Grenada," de savary added.
The British investor pointed out that if he, as an investor can help, along with others "to bring the right kind of people here to participate in the future on a controlled, careful development of Grenada," the people of the country will be the ultimate real beneficiaries.
De Savary has been meeting stiff opposition from locals to his plans to construct cottages alongside the waterfront of the Lagoon Road.
