Crystal Lagoons Corp, the patented technology developer of giant crystalline lagoons, has appointed Carlos Salas as regional director Middle East.

He will oversee the company’s strategic growth, inheriting an impressive existing portfolio with a total of 40 active, under-development and pipeline projects spread across the Middle East, valued at more than $13 billion.

Crystal Lagoons will take part in the annual Cityscape Global showcase, taking place from September 8 to 10 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), in Dubai, UAE, with an update on its growing portfolio of GCC projects and its expanding regional team.

Based in Dubai, Salas brings with him extensive regional experience, having spent the last six years as head of the Embassy of Chile in the UAE’s economic department and GCC commercial representative for ProChile.

“Carlos has a thorough understanding of the Middle East business environment as well as an extensive network of governmental and commercial contacts, which places him – and Crystal Lagoons – in prime position to take our existing projects forward and capitalise on new opportunities in the region,” said Uri Man, CEO, Crystal Lagoons.

Crystal Lagoons has projects located in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, including the high-profile Meydan mega lagoons project.

Part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid City (MBRC) mixed-use development, situated close to the Meydan Racecourse, and a joint venture between Meydan Group and Sobha Developers, the MBRC – District One lagoon project will be the world’s largest manmade lagoon upon completion in time for Expo 2020 celebrations, and covering an area of 40 hectares.

A 1.43-hectare pilot lagoon is already in operation and features a show home community of nine houses for a taster of the overall masterplanned development, which will eventually include residential areas, hotels and commercial opportunities.  

The next phases of the lagoon project will cover around eight hectares and are to be delivered in 2016, with a further nine hectares completed by 2017.

“We have been delighted with the reception the initial phase of the lagoon has received, the next phase of activity marks yet another important milestone for Crystal Lagoons and further underscores the brand and reputation of the company here in the Middle East. We have built an excellent partnership with Meydan Sobha, resulting in a development that has set a benchmark for the rest of the world,” said Salas.

In Saudi Arabia, the company’s brace of Jeddah projects include the under-construction Prince Sultan Cultural Centre Lagoon, with its total area of 9.3 hectares set to be handed over in early 2016, and the 9.97-hectare Mayasem Lagoon, which is currently in the engineering phase. – TradeArabia News Service