In partnership with NEOTEC, Global Properties on Wednesday 21 February 2024 laid the foundation stone for the luxurious development which comprises 177 units of 12 studios, 79 1-bedroom units, and 74 2-bedroom units. These spacious apartments start at 53m2 for the studio, 65m2 for 1-bedroom, 100m2 for 2-bedroom and 157m2 for 3-bedroom units. The opulent amenities include a swimming pool, restaurant, minimarket, gym, lush green garden, 24-hour stand-by generator, 24-hour security and CCTV, laundry service, trash collection, internet and TV, and management service.
Saul Frazer, CEO of Global Properties, said one of the main reasons that motivated him to start Global Properties was to solve his problem of being able to purchase a home without having to be in The Gambia. He expressed delight for being involved with over 5,000 properties in 3 different countries, which sets Global Properties on track to delivering an average of one property per day.
In the beginning, he said, Global Properties strived despite all “the hardship our beloved country” was going through, he recalled, saying they were able to establish themselves as a household name by providing serviced plots of land and partnering with Swami India International in their projects such as Paradise Estate, Paradise City, and Paradise View.
“Today Global Properties is excelling,” he noted. “From 2016 to date, we have embarked on Projects with a combined value of $45,000,000, namely: Tujereng Housing in Tujereng, GreenVille Housing in Gunjur, Global House in Kotu and Lake View in Kotu.”
He said his partners NEOTEC is a group of professionals that have collectively worked in different companies in the architectural, engineering and construction fields over the last 15 years and have combined their various capacities, knowledge, and expertise to create a functioning and operating real estate development and construction firm.
“With such a development here at Lakeview, instead of just one family benefiting from this amazing location, there will now be 178 other families equally benefiting and this increases our middle class,” Mr Frazer illuminates the benefits therein. “As developers, we will realize our profit after 3 years but the families, clients, and investors investing in these kinds of developments will be realizing their gains for themselves and families for generations to come and therefore increase our middle class.”
Hon. Ebrima Sillah, the Minister for Transport, Works and Infrastructure, who delivered a statement on the occasion on behalf of President Adama Barrow, explained that “the event marks not only a significant milestone for the business community but a testament to the potential of our youth”. He expressed gratitude to the visionary minds behind Lakeview for their dedication to advancing the nation's economic landscape.
He said: “Mr Saul Frazer's return to the Gambia some 17 years ago to establish the Global Properties serves as an example of what contributes to developing a country led by a vision and hope. Mr Frazer's journey is not just a personal success story but a beacon of hope and inspiration for our young people.”
Minister Sillah applauds Frazer’s entrepreneurial spirit, resilience and unwavering belief in the potential of the nation's youth, saying these patriotic attributes and virtues have paved the way for a vibrant business that contributes significantly to the country’s economy.
Worthy of celebration is not only the laying of the foundation stone but also the achievement of dreams, aspirations and possibilities of young men and women in the country, the Minister said.
He appeals to the youth: “The youth of the Gambia, I want you to look at Mr Frazer and see the embodiment of the limitless opportunities and possibilities that lay before you. His work and love for one's country are the driving forces. I hope that Mr Frazer's journey will inspire many of you to venture into the world of business, to dream big and to believe in your abilities to shape the destiny of our country.”
Mr Sillah reiterated that as a government, they stand firmly in support of young people and are committed to creating an environment where they can flourish.
Baboucarr Bouy, Minister of Lands and Local Government, said his ministry always looks forward to highlighting such developments that contribute to the socioeconomic growth and infrastructural development of the country in a multitude of ways. The Gambia is a vibrant nation filled with endless potential, he said, adding that there are pioneers and excellent leaders in every development endeavour in the country and are doing amazingly well.
“Gambians locally are contributing greatly to this nation with businesses that drive the economy, providing jobs and contributing to the infrastructural development of this country,” he said. “These establishments are forces of good that add value to what government is doing.”
He continued that looking at the real estate industry, Global Properties has immensely contributed towards nation-building through its numerous real estate developments across the country, from sites and services projects to the construction of affordable homes and luxurious developments including apartments.
Pastor Francis Forbes highlighted also that the fact that the nation celebrated the 59th independence anniversary in a progressive and convivial atmosphere is evidence that the national landscape is changing gradually and determinedly with quality infrastructure, especially on the Bertin Harding Highway.
Pastor Forbes believes, prays and trusts that with notable and credible real estate developers like Mr Frazer and his partners, the great potential in entrepreneurship, creativity and genuine business partnership will expand the country’s economy and middle class.
Reshaping and beautifying our national outlook and hopefully placing more demands on quality, efficiency and excellence in everything Gambian will be highly beneficial for the nation, he added, saying: “If our development trust and investment policy are robustly favourable to Gambians first across all sectors, especially in the financial, business and lands sector, the turnaround we all yearn for will become a reality.”
