Backed by both the British and Egyptian governments, Kent-based Vanquish Developments is spearheading a programme in post-revolutionary Egypt to open up business opportunities to small and medium sized British companies.

Why Vanquish? When the company started its operations in Egypt six years ago, building high-quality residential accommodation in Hurghada and in the process training local staff to carry out the work to British standards, CEO David Danaher was not prepared for where this small project would lead him.

A passionate motorsport fan, he identified the need for karting tracks and maybe an international motorsport circuit. A discussion about these plans lead on to an introduction to Captain and Medat Badawi, siblings in one of the Egypt's most influential families and directors of Gulf Agency Shipping in Egypt, who also shared David's passion for motorsport.

Discussions developed into realised plans with the purchase of three square miles of beach fronted land in the Sinai just two hours' drive from Cairo on which to build the Palo Verde raceway, marina and resort. Private investment had started to flow when the "Arab Spring" of early 2011 brought violent demonstrations to Cairo and it looked as if the project could be put on hold permanently.

However, ten months on, not only is the project stronger than ever (with Investments back on track and building beginning in January 2012) but the Egyptian community's desire for assistance from British businesses to help them build their new country, has propelled Vanquish to the fore working to encourage UK SMEs to work in Egypt and in the process boost both economies.

The rapid development of "New Cairo", 25 square miles of new residential, commercial and business to the East of Old Cairo and future development of the old city centre plus plans for Sinai and Alexandria along with Palo Verde it's estimated that there is more than 30 years' work available to businesses of all types.

So how can your company get involved? In conjunction with the Badawi family, the Egyptian authorities and our partnership with UK Trade and Industry (UKTI)
Vanquish has developed a fast-track programme to help British businesses set up in Egypt, obtain work, find suitable local employees and in the majority of cases achieve this without the upheaval of relocation. Using current technology and the 4-hour flight time to Cairo it's possible to a business in Egypt without moving.

Every month Vanquish, in conjunction with UKTI hold open presentations and one-to- one meetings in the UK for business owners.    For interested businesses a three- day trade mission to Egypt is available to meet potential customers (private companies, individuals and government organisations) and Cairo-based UKTI colleagues at the British Embassy to help businesses to decide whether Egypt is viable. So far 90% of delegates set up business based on what they have discovered during this intense three-day visit.

Company formation legalities can be fast- tracked through an Egyptian legal team and the programme offers lead generation and opportunities to tender for a pre-agreed period as well as operational assistance including locating premises and hiring staff. With five businesses now up and running since August, now really is the time to seriously consider this opportunity.

If you are a business owner and would like to find out more please contact Katherine Hersey-Meade to arrange either a one-to-one consultation or to attend our monthly group presentations. Telephone 01634 318825 or 07974112203 or email Katherine@vanquishdevelopments.com or visit www.vanquishdevelopments.com/business

The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Rt. Hon Alderman Michael Bear arrived in Cairo on 3 October at the start of a two-day visit to Egypt. In his role as ambassador for London-based financial and professional services, the Lord Mayor’s visit to Egypt was to build upon the already strong economic and political links between the two countries.

Accompanying him on the visit was a business delegation which included organisations from the Financial Services, Education and Skills Development, Construction and ICT sectors.





The delegation made calls on the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Egypt, British Egyptian Business Association and met leading representatives of the Egyptian and British business community.

The UK is the largest foreign investor in Egypt. Currently there are more than 900 British-invested companies operating in Egypt with cumulative investments estimated at $20 billion.

Source; UK in Egypt

Vanquish Developments, the Kent based company developing a town with motor sport and leisure facilities on the Red Sea coast; saw a market to be capitalised on and is celebrating another first as its newly-formed export business subsidiary, Vanquish Exports, prepares to send out its first shipment of Honda superbikes and scooters to eager buyers in Cairo.

With import duties on new vehicles, including motorbikes, sometimes as high as an astonishing 235% of the item’s value; the market for good condition, refurbished bikes (which attract duty of around 60%) is a market the company is developing rapidly.

Purchaser Cairo Motorsport; due to take delivery of the bikes at the end of the month, said: “We are delighted to have found a reliable source to import bikes for our buyers, Vanquish Developments have certainly hit the spot in this market, currently we cannot keep up with demand and Vanquish Developments have solved our problem.”

With its shipping partner based in Egypt, Vanquish is in a good position to grow this market and assist other potential UK exporters to achieve their goals.

Vanquish Developments is supported in Egypt and the UK by UK Trade and Investment.

Notes to editors

Vanquish Developments has been working on various development projects in Egypt for the past six years and has recently started work on developing Palo Verde; the motorsport, marina and educational destination on the Red Sea coast in Sinai. For organisations looking to set up business in Egypt or to find out more about export opportunities through Vanquish Exports please contact Katherine Hersey-Meade (Katherine@vanquishdevelopments.com) or call 07974 112203.

A Kent company is playing a leading role in the building of a motor sport, golf and marina complex on Egypt's Red Sea coast.

Sittingbourne's Vanquish Developments has received the green light from the new Egyptian government to build and operate Palo Verde, a new leisure-based town just under a two-hour drive from Cairo.

The privately-financed project will cost between £400 and 500 million.

Vanquish is looking for more UK businesses - especially Kent-based firms - to partner them to provide the expertise and products needed for both the construction and operation phases.

Palo Verde will combine the world's latest and most innovative motor sports circuit and research centre with a 300-berth marina, 18-hole golf course, plus hotels, restaurants, shops as well as educational facilities and a hospital.

A Vanquish spokesman said today that business opportunities for UK firms in Palo Verde include garages, car care centres, solar power and water renewal system providers, plumbers, tilers and decorators to hair dressers, restaurants, sports providers, web designers and vets.

Last week senior directors of Vanquish were invited to meet Egyptian tourism and environment chiefs to discuss the project.

Egypt is said to be an ideal location for business opportunities as the political situation calms and the new government looks to countries like Britain to work with them to train and educate its workforce.

Vanquish Developments has an Egyptian partner company and is supported in that country and in the UK by the UK Trade and Investment department.

One Kent company, Medway Fibreglass has already confirmed it will be setting up an outlet based in the new development to provide, among other things, swimming pool liners and cases for electrical units.

Director Richard Wood says: "This is an exciting opportunity to expand the company overseas with guaranteed work for more than five years."

David Danaher, Vanquish chief executive, said: "Education is the key to the success of the Palo Verde development.

"During the construction phase we will initiate apprenticeships for both Egyptian and UK workers to enable them to gain hands on experience of various aspects of building delivered in an inspirational environment."

Once construction is complete the motorsport centre will include educational facilities for young people from the age of 11 where they will be able to gain knowledge of both general engineering skills in design, build, promotional and business which will help them to start thinking longer-term towards a chosen career and the qualifications they will need.

"At the university students will be able to train professionally in engineering and development."

* For more information about the Palo Verde project, contact Katherine@vanquishdevelopments.com or call 07974 112 203.

Wednesday, June 22 2011 By David Jones  via Kent Business