Cape Verde’s Minister of Tourism, Investments and Business Development, Leonesa Fortes, will visit China on July 23 to sign a tourism investment deal with Macao businessman David Chow. It is for construction of a casino-resort near the country’s capital, Praia, Cape Verdean newspaper A Semana reported.

According to the report, the scheme – Cape Verde Integrated Resort & Casino – is regarded as the biggest project ever in Cape Verde.

The US$200-million project is subject to public consultation until July 19. Construction work is expected to start next year.

Once operational, the luxury resort – covering more than 12 hectares and located on an ocean front plot between Gamboa beach and Santa Maria islet – is expected to provide 2,100 jobs in the trade, leisure, sports and culture sectors.

The project includes a floating hotel-casino, a marina and a bridge connecting the islet to Santiago, the main island of Cape Verde. It also features what is described as a “cultural city”, with a coastal promenade, a boutique-hotel, a space for exhibitions about local history and culture, a convention centre and a church.