RD Realty and Development Corp.-the biggest real estate developer in SOCSKSARGEN (Region 12) and which has a landbank of 150 hectares-is planning to develop a 106-hectare central business district in General Santos City.

"The project will be called Richmond Global City which I view to be a prime central business district with a 'city-within-a-city' concept," RD Realty managing director Roy C. Rivera said.

Development would be handled by RD Realty's subsidiary, Richmond Land Innovations, Inc.

Initial capital outlay is P300 million. Development funds would be generated internally and from bank loans.

"The reason why we're launching a central business district is to introduce new businesses that could provide new growth engines for the region. We're considering a BPO in the plan," Rivera said.

RD Realty is member of the RD Group of Companies. Group founders Rodrigo E. Rivera and Dolores C. Rivera started with a pawnshop business in 1976 then diversified into fishing, banking, properties, hotels and construction. Now the Group has 44 companies under its wings.

Other than Richmond Land Innovations, RD Realty also owns the Dolores Farm Resort, the Anchor Driving Range, convenience mall RD Plaza, RD Pilipinas Construction, RD Hardware & Fishing Supplies, Inc., and Richmond Builders Ltd.-a construction business based in Papua New Guinea.