The list of Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) projects is getting longer. The minister of Local government, James Burty David, revealed the possibility of another project in Roches-Noires. He was speaking on behalf of the minister of Tourism, Xavier-Luc Duval, in Parliament last Tuesday, as the latter was away in Russia.

As the MP of Piton-Rivière-du-Rempart constituency, Dhanraj Boodhoo, wanted to know if the government was planning to implement any tourism project in his region, minister David announced that new IRS project expected to cost Rs 16.2 billion. Like all other IRS projects throughout the country, the one in Roches-Noires will target upmarket customers. It includes a hotel, a fitness centre, a golf course, 700 villas and a marina.

Among the 17 IRS projects that have already been proposed to the government, work has started on two of them: the Médine project in Wolmar – its first villas should be ready in September – and the Ciel Properties one in Beau-Champ.

As for the newly announced project in Roches-Noires, there is some hope it will boost the airport project in the North. This project goes back to the 70s when there was a feeling that such an airport would be necessary. It had even been mentioned at the time that the project could have the financial support of the Chinese government.

Even though this has never become a reality, the project is often mentioned. As in Parliament last Tuesday when minister David declared: “The electoral manifesto for 2005-2010 includes the construction of an airport in the north and the issue is being examined at the moment.”