She said, "This incredible building
reflects the highest level of luxury and refinement, with extraordinary
architecture inspired by the Caspian Sea and sophisticated interiors
that seamlessly blend contemporary style with timeless appeal".
She
is Ivanka Trump. The incredible building she is talking about is the
new Trump building that will feature 72 ultra luxury residences, 30
suites, 40 serviced apartments and 119 guest rooms.
Mind
you, this is yet another tower in the series of "towers" built in the
capital of Azerbaijan over the past few years. The notorious Flame
Towers, the 4 Seasons Hotel (with the most tea set I have ever paid in
my life - 70AZN for a pot of tea with some sweets), the Hilton and many
other luxury developments have sprung in the capital to cater for the
needs of foreign guests. Because if I was pensioner in Azerbaijan there
is no way I could afford that tea set at the Four Seasons for sure.
So why the fuss?!
Hmm...
for starters lets the take the fairness issue here. I mean when you
look at all the recent construction boom in Baku (I am saying Baku
because outside of our Dubai wanna-be capital the only thing that's
constructed is Olympic Centers and maybe a few schools, which lack
basics like toilet for instance or villages where there is still no
sewage system and etc.) it isn't really for the local folks unless of
course they are the rich (and/or famous) of Baku.
I
mean I get that we want to built a second Dubai. I get that we want to
be described as the pearl of the Orient or whatever that expression is
but shouldn't some basic services be fixed first. Head out of Baku (way
pass the "belt of happiness") and drive South or North or straight.
Visit a remote village where people still have limited access to basic
services (and I am not even talking about proper roads to reach some
remote villages).
This
is why, I am not getting people like Ivanka, who talk about beauty,
modernity and bla bla bla when she (and others) can hardly see beyond
the tip of her stilettos (and other shoes).
And
there is another side to this story. The construction partner of
Ivanka's luxury refinement is Garant Holding. For those of you who don't
know, here is a brief background on the company. The Chairman of the
Board of Directors and the CEO of Garant Holding is Mammadov Anar, son
of Ziya Mammadov, the Minister of Transportation. The company is known
for its ventures in infrastructure development, construction, oil and
gas production, international trade and so on. If you do not recall, two years ago, Mammadov Junior was involved in a scandal of "one
mighty bear", whom he wanted to eat and ordered the restaurant owner to
cook in exchange for 1million USD. Surely Mammadov denied the
accusations and sued the papers which circulated the story.
But
Garant is not the only family business of Azerbaijan's Minister. There
is also the ZQAN holding. Radio Liberty in partnership with the
Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Projected
published an investigative story on the company few years back revealing some more fascinating facts about family's growing empire.
You are seeing the bigger picture now?
Who
needs a school with proper functioning toilet (yes, we still have many
schools across the country which resort to old methods of the Romans,
Egyptians and others who were part of the grand invention) when one can enjoy the life of royals in the heart of Baku. It is so much more sophisticated and appealing.
