Saudi group Dallah Al Baraka is expected to invest around $260 million to build several leisure units in Morocco's tourist province of Agadir, a senior government official said. Agadir is located on the Atlantic coast, 600 km south of Rabat.

"Total investment in Taghazout, located in Agadir area, was estimated at $1.26 billion, of which $260 million will be contributed by Al Baraka group," the official said.

Some 35 hotels, three golf courses and two marinas will be built by public and private operators in the Taghazout leisure complex.

Jeddah-based Dallah Al Baraka is one of Saudi Arabia's biggest holding companies, with diverse business interests.

Morocco launched last month a tender to select local and foreign partners to build five seaside tourist resorts involving a total investment of 44 billion dirhams ($4.21 billion), Fathia Bennis, head of the state-run National Moroccan Tourism Office (ONMT), said.

The deadline for the offers was set for September 23, she added.

The five resorts are:The Mediterranean Saidia-Ras El Maa; The north-Atlantic Khemis Sahel; El Houzia, near the Atlantic city of El Jadida; Mogador near the Atlantic city of Essaouira; and Plage Blanche in Guelmim on the Atlantic.