The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service intends to issue another public invitation for applications for an Approved Integrated Resort Development (AIRD) Order for the St James geographical zone shortly. This follows the Ministry's decision not to issue an AIRD Order to an applicant who was interested in building an integrated resort development in the area. Portfolio Minister, Dr Nigel Clarke, made the disclosure during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Clarke explained that in October 2021, the ministry launched a request for application (RFA) process, whereby interested investors were invited to submit applications for two AIRD licences, each for an exclusive geographical zone. He said in his capacity as Minister of Finance and the Public Service, an enterprise team was established to receive and process applications, oversee the due-diligence exercise and make recommendations regarding the award of Integrated Resort Development Orders. “Two applications were received for two exclusive zones that were on offer in the RFA.
The two zones were the combined zone of Hanover and Westmoreland and the zone of St James. After fulfilling the necessary requirements, the Enterprise Team recommended that an AIRD licence be issued to the applicant for the Hanover and Westmoreland zone. This was done in August 2023,” Clarke said.
The minister said the other applicant was given additional time to respond to queries relating to its application. “Upon revie.