Reports coming out of Mexico say that a new, private VIP lounge would be built at the new, international Belize-Mexico border crossing during 2014.

Currently, the main shopping attraction in that part of the country is the Commercial Free Zone, which is frequented by Mexican shoppers – however, the zone has been known to trade sometimes in knock-off products rather than authentic brands.

A report published recently in La Verdad News (Mexico) said that construction of the new US$50 million VIP area would commence this month, January 2014, and the shopping area would offer original brands of merchandise.

The news article cited Belize’s Honorary Consul to Quintana Roo, Jorge Valencia Gómez, as a source for the announcement.

Valencia reported that a new investor, which he declined to identify, has taken over the proposed project, which would include the construction of a hotel and casino, a convention center and shopping plazas, and possibly recreation areas.

The VIP lounge would be located at the new “Chactemal” border crossing between Belize and Mexico.