Who would think that the Dominican Republic has a problem with poverty, what with the star-studded festivities around the launch of a billion-dollar yacht marina in the eastern part of the country this past weekend:

Children of US billionaire Donald Trump, the singer Julio Iglesias and fashion designer Oscar de la Renta were among the stars who gathered Saturday in the Dominican Republic’s Cap Cana to inaugurate a luxury marina, organizers said.

Touted as the “most complete and modern marina in the Caribbean,” organizers said in a statement that the facility will, once finished, be able to accommodate 1,000 yachts as well as mega-yachts.

But then again, we do live in an age in which a Mexican is heir apparent to the title of “world’s richest man”, while 50% of the Mexican population languishes in poverty.

The complex is to stretch over 120 square kilometers (46 square miles) and cost a total of two billion dollars.

It will include three golf courses designed by ex-champion Jack Niklaus’s company as well as four luxury hotels, a shopping center and a Venice-like canal featuring seaview villas.

While the average Dominican won’t be able to enjoy this new complex (google “Cap Cana marina” for an idea of its target market), the event was attended by (and in addition to the international stars) some homegrown celebs such as Juan Luis Guerra and Amaury Sanchez.

Via / Yahoo! Entertainment