GIFTLAND OfficeMax Mall at Plantation Liliendaal, ECD, is set to open in February 2013.
This announcement was made by president of the Beepat Company, Royston Beepat, during a media ‘walkthrough’ of the building on Wednesday.
The construction of the mall, which began in 2009, is being done in three phases. The first phase, costing some Gy$4B, is scheduled for completion by next February, after which about 800 persons would be employed.
At completion of all phases, Giftland OfficeMax Mall will be staffed by almost 6,000 persons.
The final cost of the mall is estimated at US$30M.
The project is being financed by GBTI, Citizens Bank, Scotiabank Guyana, and two private investors; along with the standard waivers and concessions from the Guyana Government.
Scotiabank described the project as good investment for Guyana and for the private sector as well.
Head of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Ronald Webster, and President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), Clinton Urling, were loud in praise for the initiative, with Webster saying the mall is a tremendous plus to the private sector.
Sitting on ten acres of land, this mall will boast the largest food court in the Caribbean; an eight-theatre cineplex, along with video arcades; and an authentic Nike store, among many other entertainment and retail facilities.
Mr. Beepat disclosed that the company has already received many applications from businesses which desire to be housed in the mall, but the strict selection process in place will ensure that only the best businesses in retail and entertainment are guaranteed a place in the complex.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who attended the event, said the mall will lift the standard of retail trade in Guyana. He praised the zeal of Royston Beepat in spearheading the project, and wished the company continued success.
Go-Invest is currently in talks with investors of the cinemas separately from Giftland OfficeMax.
According to Go–Invest, the construction industry does not qualify for concessions under its incentive regime; however, certain aspects of the project, like the cinemas for example, qualify for concessions.
Marcel Gaskin and Associates Ltd. are the contracted architects and engineers for the project.