Cabinet has given the green light for studies to commence on a multi-million-dollar, mega-tourism project proposed by Puerto Azul Belize Limited, which investors want to set up only 8 miles south of the Great Blue Hole, at the Lighthouse Reef Atoll.

The controversial development proposal for Puerto Azul calls for an exclusive resort, hotel, golf, villas and spa, on Northern Two Caye (960 acres) and Sandbore Caye (10 acres), suitable to accommodate 1,000 guests and 2,000 employees.

The proposal—which has a tentative timeline from December 2013–December 2017—also calls for an underwater lab, shopping centers, restaurants and bars, a golf club house, spa, airstrip and marina.

Minister of Labour, Local Government, Rural Development and National Emergency Management and Immigration and Nationality Godwin Hulse, head of the Cabinet subcommittee for investments, told our newspaper today that Puerto Azul had asked the Government for permission to do a feasibility study, as they, too, have to be satisfied that what they are proposing is worthwhile.

The directors for the company are Italians Domenico Giannini and Fabio Nicola La Rosa, members of the management team named for another Puerto Azul project proposed for the Dominican Republic.

Minister Hulse said that Puerto Azul will be bringing in their engineers, to conduct the study. No memorandum of understanding has yet been solidified by the parties, the minister said.

We also understand that the multi-million-dollar sugar development project being initiated by Green Tropics — a company owned by interests in Spain and represented by Guatemalan Antonio Zelaya – in the Castille area of Cayo, is moving ahead.