"This is a vote of confidence by Qatari Diar in the future of Sudan and a signal to the world that this country can attract major overseas investment," says the Qatari Diar CEO. "The agreement marks the entry of Qatari Diar into the Sudanese market, where we are investigating further development opportunities."

The Blue Nile development will be built on a prime site opposite the Sudanese capital's Presidential Palace and will total 100,000 sm. "This will be a mixed-use development with a five-star hotel, restaurants, cafes, rest chalets, entertainment, retail and commercial facilities and a sport club," says Al Ansari. The resort will be surrounded by residential villas and offices for which there is currently high demand in Khartoum."Khartoum has established a number of foreign direct-investment laws to encourage inward investment into the capital city," comments Khartoum governor Abdulhalim Ismael Al Mutaafy. "We have chosen to partner with Qatari Diar for this project because of its proven regional experience and established reputation for quality delivery."