WESTERN BUREAU:
SIX OF western Jamaica's major inbond merchants have joined forces to construct a $600-million luxury shopping, dining and entertainment complex at Rose Hall in St. James.
"This is the first time in the history of the trade that we have seen six fierce competitors come together for a common cause," said Indru Dadlani, chairman of the group. "It's a full first-class Jamaican project."
The group includes K. Chandiram Limited, operators of Bijoux Jewellers, B.D. Dalani Limited, owners of Casa De Oro, Daswani Jamaica Limited-Royal Shop, Samtani Jamaica Limited, proprietors of Tropicana Jewellers, H.K. Mahtani and Sons of Presita Shops and Khiatani, group operators of Tajmahal. Together, the six companies have 250 years of business experience in the tourism industry.
CONSTRUCTION SET FOR NOVEMBER
The construction for 'Shoppes at Rose Hall' will begin in November and is slated for completion by December 2005. It will be situated on five acres of prime real estate between the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Wyndham Rose Hall.
Project managers have been named as Jeremy Brown and John Marcocchio of Implementation Limited and architects are Jeremy Milligen and Associates. There are also plans in the pipeline to add a signature attraction on an additional 1.66 acres of the existing land space.
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Shoppes at Rose Hall will boast 31 stores with a diverse product mix of duty-free luxury, including designer wear, souvenir, craft and speciality stores. A major restaurant theme will take up 12,000 square feet and a fully equipped jeweller and watchmaker on the premises.
On Friday, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson will officially break ground for the multimillion-dollar venture, which will have a unique Jamaican theme and structural design.
Mr. Dadlani mentioned that the recognition given to the US$127 million duty-free shopping in Jamaica has been somewhat lukewarm. "I am hoping this will be the catalyst for the appreciation that it truly deserves and duty-free will now be marketed as a major attraction," he added.
A recent survey done by KPMG stated that duty-free shopping contributes 12 per cent to Jamaica's tourism revenue and is a net foreign exchange earner.
