Igal Ahouvi (central) is considered one of the most exceptional investors in the European real estate market.

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Igal David Ahouvi, an Israeli businessman, has been appointed as the Honorary Consul of Viet Nam in Israel, with the Consular District of the city of Haifa, Israel.

Igal Ahouvi is well respected in the European and American real estate markets. In Viet Nam, he is the investor of the ALMA Lifetime Vacation project in Nha Trang City in the southern Khanh Hoa Province.

Based on the letter of commission signed by Viet Nam's Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh last year, the Israeli investor has been nominated as the Honorary Consul of Viet Nam following his involvement in the efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.

This is an important milestone, which affirms the close bilateral relationship and promises long-term Viet Nam-Israel economic and political cooperation.

"I am really honored to contribute my efforts to the solid development of the Viet Nam-Israel relationship. I believe that Viet Nam will continue to be an attractive destination for Israeli tourists, and an appealing investment destination for Israeli investors. To introduce the image of Viet Nam to Israeli citizens will be my priority in the coming future," Igal Ahouvi said.

Currently, the number of Israeli investment projects is increasing in Viet Nam. One of the most remarkable projects is Ahouvi's ALMA resort in Bai Dai, North Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa, which has an investment capital of US$300 million.

Ahouvi, 58, has more than 25 years of experience in the global real estate market. He is considered one of the most exceptional investors in the European real estate market, with a capital of more than US$10 billion, and is also well known for structured finance transactions. Some of his transactions are the acquisitions of the National Car Parks (around Euro 1 billion), Hilton Hotels (Euro 800 million) and VW car exhibition showrooms (Euro 500 million). His major financial partners are the Royal Bank of Scotland, Credit Suisse, Canada Life, Bank of Ireland, Barclays and many other organisations. — VNS