Nakheel has rejected Q Group’s intentions to start work on Great Britain at The World Islands off the Dubai coast.
Q Group said yesterday in a statement that it has signed an agreement with Drydocks World to “provide offshore marine and operational management solutions” for the project.
The statement added: “Providing high-end technical and operational support to the development of the Great Britain island’s five-star resort and residential destination, Drydocks World will design, engineer and build total marine-based solutions including the utility solutions.”
However, Nakheel, the master developer of The World Islands which lies 4.5km off the coast, said that there are outstanding issues that need resolving with Q Group before progress can be made.
“The announcement by Q Group on its plans for Great Britain island at The World is misleading and misguided,” said Nakheel.
“We are surprised at and intrigued by the news, given that there are still considerable payments outstanding in relation to the purchase of the island. No design application will be accepted, nor will construction be permitted, until payment has been made.”
In response, Safi Qurashi, the chief executive of Q Group, said the company has no intention of commencing construction until final designs have been approved by Nakheel.
He issued a statement saying that revised payment terms “are being discussed by our respective lawyers”.
Lebanon is the only island at the project which has so far been developed commercially, while construction has restarted on the Heart of Europe, a cluster of six islands.
business@thenational.ae
Follow The National's Business section on Twitter
