Al-Thani chooses Torremolinos as destination for new projects

AFTER a failed attempt to invest in Marbella, owner of Malaga FC Abdullah Al-Thani has chosen Torremolinos as the destination for his new project.

Mayor Jose Ortiz has confirmed that the sheikh has chosen the city for its proximity to the airport and capacity for expansion. A preliminary conversation between the two men has thrown up the potential of finally executing plans for a new shopping centre with international heavyweights Intu, as well as the pedestrianisation of the historic centre.

Al-Thani has been drawn to Torremolinos after the sudden interest in the area made by hotel groups who want to reform their existing facilities in the city.

The first official meeting between the mayor and the sheikh will be attended by the deputy mayor Maribel Tocon, as well as Malaga FC CEO and Torremolinos resident Abdullah Ben Barek. Serviced easily by Malaga Airport, Torremolinos is perfectly situated to access the rest of Spain, and the world, with millions of tourists every year. The aim of the meeting is to address plans for the future of the partnership and what can be achieved.

This comes after the disasters surrounding the sheikh’s proposed expansion of Marbella’s La Bajadilla marina in 2011. The €400 million project promised a conversion of the port into an exclusive and luxurious facility and could have created some 3,000 new jobs, but Al-Thani instead left the marina in a state of disrepair. The contract was recently annulled by the Andalucian government after they had no choice but to step in. The sheikh has appealed the decision and has not ruled out the possibility of resuming the initiative in the future.