An adventure company owner who fled Dubai last month said he is still "very much committed" to repaying millions of dirhams to creditors and customers.
British businessman Simon Ford fled Dubai in June as his Blue Banana adventure company sank under mass-ive debts.
Hundreds of creditors were left unpaid and hundreds of customers were left with useless holiday vouchers.
In an email correspondence with 7DAYS this weekend, Ford said he was still deter-mined to repay creditors but said it will take time.
"Unfortunately, it won't happen overnight as the only way I can deliver on my promise is to kickstart another venture here in the UK. It could then generate enough revenue to start repaying customers and suppliers," he said.
He ruled out any return of Blue Banana, which organised desert tours, balloon rides, carting rides and many other Dubai holidays and days out.
"Blue Banana is unfortun-ately very much over, but my personal commitment remains," he said.
Ford also said in the email that he is currently "networ-king with like-minded entrepreneurs here in the UK and exploring possible new opportunities".
In early June, several major creditors had threatened to sue Blue Banana because of long delays in payments.
Ford fled the country with his wife and young family, saying that the UAE's lack of bankruptcy protection had forced him to make an "agonising" decision.
Ford wrote a letter to Dubai creditors and customers from the UK, in which he promised to pay back "every penny" he owes to customers and creditors.
© 7Days 2009
