Duabi, 26 July 05 (WAM)-- The Government of Ras Al Khaimah has refuted news reports which appeared in a section of the Press regarding the plans to set up a multi-billion dollar Desert Snow Village project in RAK by a private firm, according to Khlaeej Times of Dubai daily.

Speaking at a Press conference convened here yesterday, Dr Khater Massaad, Adviser to Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, clarified that the Government of Ras Al Khaimah has not issued permission or licence to anyone for setting up such a project and stated that the investment figures mentioned in the news report were totally false.

There have been recent news reports in a section of the Press, which quoted the developer of the project, Halim Hani, as saying that they would be setting up the Desert Snow Village in RAK which would accommodate 350,000 permanent residents in addition to 150,000 daily visitors. The report had also mentioned that the Village would be an entirely self-sufficient town with 24 themed hotels, including an underwater hotel and had claimed to have facilities to simulate the North and South Pole atmospheres with ice related sports.

Dr Massaad said that the Government of RAK has not even received an official request from the developer till date for setting up such a project.

"We were stunned to see news reports last day of the developer announcing plans to set up the mega project with investments to the tune of $55 billion. We would like to clarify that the developer has not even put an official request for the project, nor has be secured the permission and licences from the government," Dr Massaad pointed out.

He added that Halim Hani, representing Al Salama International Trading and Marketing, Abu Dhabi, had approached the authorities one year ago with a proposal for setting up a tourism project involving an expense of $3 billion. He was told that there would be no objection from the part of the government if he could mobilise the money after undertaking the necessary studies.

"One month back he presented a request for a project to set up a factory to manufacture desalination equipment, involving an expense of $6.4 million. Till date, this is the only formal request he has with us," Dr Massaad said and added that he had not taken the license or permission for the Desert Snow Village project.