ASSA-Irada,
16, April 2008
By Olga Pukhayeva

Russian developers Crocus International are set to kick off the construction of the biggest resort zone on the Absheron peninsula.

The new international resort, which stretches from Nardaran to Kurdakhani on the northern shores of the Caspian peninsula, is to be centred on a 2km beach capable of accommodating op to 10,000 sun-worshippers.

But it's intended Jo be more than just sea and sand, with a golf course, spa and yacht club also included in the plans.

Work is already underway to strengthen the coastline before the $1 billion project can continue.

With an opening date pencilled in for summer 2011, the" Ministry of Culture and Tourism is actively seeking local and international investment to support its plans. International firms will be invited to run the golf and yachting venues.

Crocus International are making Russia's biggest investment into the non-oil sector in Azerbaijan.

But this is hardly a 'foreign' investment: Crocus owner Araz Agalarov is of Azerbaijani origin, and his daughter-in-law is the daughter of President Ilham Aliyev.

This was OK, but it read like a press release. I've tried to sharpen it up a little bit, while keeping a bit of 'advertorial' style in there (because it is basically advertorial). So now it's probably a press release which is trying too hard! With notes longer than the original story. Hmm ... I guess it won't go too well with people moaning about beach resorts being the only tourist infrastructure investment in Azerbaijan this week, will it?. Still, it's too late to deport me now.