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Last Updated: Monday, 9 April 2007, 15:56 GMT 16:56 UK

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Egyptian tycoon plans alpine oasis
By Imogen Foulkes
BBC News, Berne


The elegant Swiss ski resorts of St Moritz, Verbier and Klosters dominate many winter holiday brochures - but little Andermatt plans to rival them in future.


Andermatt lacks the tourist infrastructure of major Swiss resorts
One of the Middle East's biggest hotel groups is on course to transform Andermatt into a luxury resort, complete with a golf course and a pool with its own sandy beach.

Andermatt, in southern Switzerland, has traditionally made its money from the Swiss army. This was where Switzerland's elite alpine regiments trained, practising mountain warfare against an invasion which of course never came.

Andermatt's barracks used to house up to 1,000 troops, and the army was the biggest contributor to the local economy.

The Swiss government seems to think so too; Mr Sawiris has been given a fast track through much of the bureaucracy of buying land and gaining planning permission. The strict law prohibiting foreigners from purchasing land in Switzerland was even relaxed especially for him.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6539199.stm