Lebanon is to get its first theme park, thanks to a US$40 million investment by UAE business tycoon Khalaf al Habtoor.

Construction of the attraction, called Metropolitan Park, began this week on a 107,000 sq meter plot of land in a suburb of Beirut, with a target completion date of September 2004.

Speaking at last week’s press conference to launch the project, Habtoor said:

“The theme park will provide quality entertainment for all age groups, coupled with an educational objective. This is Al Habtoor Group’s contribution to Lebanon’s economic revival and a step toward pushing touristic performance to advanced levels.”

The Al Habtoor Group owns the five-star Metropolitan Palace Hotel in Lebanon and is currently working on a 33-storey commercial complex in Beirut.