Subrata Roy Sahara, founder and owner of Sahara India Pariwar - I am coming to Serbia next summer

(Subrata Roy Sahara)

While Serbia is waiting for millions from Emirates, our southern neighbors became interested in one of the biggest Indian companies, Sahara India Pariwar in Macedonia has already started investments in the field of agriculture and it has announced the constriction of the luxurious tourist complex at Ohridsko jezero which could remind of Dubai-based buildings.

Will a conglomerate with 1,1 million people worldwide come to our country? Owner and a company founder, a billionaire, Subrata Roy Sahara, announced for eKapija that next year, most likely in the summer, he will visit Serbia to estimate investment opportunities in current economy.

Subrata Roy answered questions of eKapija in Skoplje where a there was the first Balkan Peace Festival. The owner of Sahara India Pariwar revealed us a few details of the future Las Vegas at Ohrid as well as the plans for Dzumajlija where they will build a farm and a dairy totaling more than EUR 200 mil.

Although an Indian billionaire admits that he does not know a lot about Serbia and that he has never considered our country as a destination for investment, he is planning next year to estimate investment opportunities, first of all, in agriculture.

eKapija: It was previously announced that more than EUR 200 mil would be invested in the tourist complex in Ohrid as well as that, due to numerous casinos, the resort will be something like Las Vegas. What will you offer to your visitors?

(future look of the complex at Lake Ohrid)

- Saharayan Makeeduniya, near Ljubaniste, will occupy 240 ha with a luxurious hotel on water, with swimming pools, the highest class flats, a couple of casinos, villas, bungalows, golf courts… We hope to attract 10.000 tourists annually to Ohridsko jezero.

There will also be an outlet center, movie halls, a mini marine, artificial beach as well as clubs. The project was designed by Tom Wright of Atkins whose work lists Dubai-based Burj Al Arab as well.

eKapija: Regulation of all legal and environmental issues is in progress since it is an area protected by UNESCO. When could the construction start?

- Preparations for the construction of the complex are nearing an end. All licenses should be provided by November or December.

eKapija: The look of the future complex reminds of the artificial island Palm in Dubai. When will “Dubai at Ohrid” open its door for visitors?

- The first stage will definitely be completed by the end of the next year, there is no doubt. A smaller part of the facility will be opened then and we will provide accommodation unit for some 600 people. The rest of the complex will be constructed in stages, stair by stair. According ti my expectations, the resort will be completed by 2016 or 2017.

eKapija: You previously said that Saharayan Makeeduniya will be among the ten best tourist destinations of that type in the world. Where from are you expecting the largest number of guests?

(a part of the resort should resemble buildings in Dubai)

- It is difficult to predict where from the largest number of guests will be but U believe that, apart from tourists form EU and Russia, a large number of Chine as well as from our mother country India, will come. In any case, we will offer something that has not existed in this region so far.

eKapija: What is the plan for the Agricultural combine Dzumajlija, in Lozovo at Sveti Nikola?

- In the next three years we will invest a total of EUR 211 mil. Apart from a farm with 20.000 cows, there will be a plant of cattle food as well as the most modern dairy. The project will enable hires of 2000 people.

Apart from milk, we will produce cheese, yoghurt, ice-cream, etc. The initial capacity if some 300.000 liters of milk per day and we will expand it later. We are planning to export milk and dairy products to the Balkan countries but also to Middle East and North Africa.

eKapija: How did Sahara opt for investing in Macedonia?

- I have to admit that when a colleague mentioned me Macedonia for the first time, I did not know anything about that country; I was not even sure what the name of the country was. I was especially intrigued by the fact that Mother Teresa was born here whom I personally knew and whom I consider to be a symbol of kindness and charity. After that, I met Macedonian delegation and then came to see how things are in person.

eKapija: Are you satisfied with cooperation with the state and local-self-governance in Macedonia?

- Very much. Everybody was very proactive and cooperative. Also, I have to point out we had no difficulties with corruption and no one asked for a single euro.

eKapija: Can we expect further investments in the Balkans?

- I cannot provide a specific plan but everything is open. My team has already visited Greece and I am planning soon to visit Croatia which is very attractive in a tourist sence, I am interested in locations for tourist investments, first of all islands and movie sets.

I can say all countries in the region will propsre from the projects in Macedonia. We will exoand production and we are always looking for locations for movie sets.

eKapija: What is important for the Sahara company when it makes a decision on a country it will invest in?

- In a word, that we feel good there. As I have already said, support of the state and local self-governance is extremely important.

NO BLOCKED ACCOUNT?

Sahara Indian Pariwar is a conglomerate which operates in more sectors including financial services, life insurance, and infrastructure, construction of flats, media, entertainment, and movie production.

eKapija: A couple of foreign media wrote about the fact that actually in India all of your accounts are blocked?

- None of that is true.

M.S.