A new casino-resort that Macao businessman David Chow plans to build in Cape Verde represents a turning point for the country’s tourism industry, said Cape Verde’s Prime Minister, José Maria Neves.

He was speaking on Saturday in the capital Praia, at a ceremony outlining the scheme. The development has been referred to as an “integrated leisure entertainment project”. Mr Neves stressed the positive impact the new casino-resort would have in the country, namely in the labour market.

The Prime Minister indicated – as quoted in a Government press release – the project was a turning point in the country’s development.

The 250-million euros (US$273.7 million) resort – set to open in 2018 at Santa Maria Islet – would be the largest private-sector investment project in Cape Verde, he added.

Mr Neves also said the Government welcomed the large convention centre and a national history museum that the scheme would provide. He explained these two facilities would meet the Government’s goals of boosting the country’s cultural sector and of turning Cape Verde into an international centre for services that would attract even more international events.

Mr Chow was quoted saying he was certain the new resort would put Cape Verde on the map as one of the main tourism destinations on that side of the Atlantic ocean. He added it would benefit local people and the country’s economy as a whole.

Mr Chow is the Chief Executive and Co-Chairman of Macau Legend Development, which is responsible for the project through its two subsidiaries in Cape Verde.

The resort will also include retail and catering facilities, as well a yacht marina.