Large Real Estate Group From Britain To Invest In Ghana

A reputable British Group, the BOND Group Holdings comprising of a strong real estate arm, SD & B International and an investment arm, Bond Investment Group, have expressed the strongest desire to invest in Ghana’s economy, citing the country’s relative stable economic growth, less security concerns and peaceful political framework.

Senior officials of both companies have since paid a four-day working visit to Ghana to explore possible areas of investment.

Bond Investment Group are global experts in structured equity finance while SD & B International specialises in property and infrastructure Design, Investment, turnkey construction and project Management.

Dr Hitesh Bodani, Chairman of the Bond Group Holdings who led the three member delegation told Ameenu Shardow of myradio360.com that they are overwhelmed by the numerous and attractive investment opportunities in Ghana.

According to him, Ghana is a very friendly and stable economy and its people have hopes and aspirations that their wellbeing and prosperity will continue to improve as the economy advances.

“ It is my belief there will be much more achieved by a mutual understanding and emphasis on joint venture partnerships between the private sector and the government to meet the country's long term vision across a number of identified growth sectors, tackle youth unemployment & inequality and abject poverty through more investment in job creation & learning and driving innovation and skills through better training& educational facilities and give private sector an opportunity to participate in wider social needs projects as their philanthropic contribution”.

“We have seen far more potential than we initially thought, before setting off on this trip”, he said.

He said his team are eager to partner government and the private sector to revolutionalize Ghana’s Real Estate and Investment sectors.

“For instance, having toured several sites and facilities in the capital, we see huge deficit in the public transport area. Your airport clearly needs expansion, to make it a modern tourist-led and cargo infrastructure and logistics hub for North-West Africa”, he said, adding that his team intends using Ghana to enter the West African sub-region.

In the area of Real Estate, Dr Bodani said his companies are prepared to help Ghana exploit Green Technology to ensure less consumption of energy and thus helping to contribute to a healthier environment.

“Solar energy is a typical example. What we want to do is build a scaleable fully integrated housing and lifestyle, live and work environment which is lacking. This is the way the world is now moving and it will enhance our well-being and our environment”.

The Managing Director of SD & B International, Bruce Rippon said the choice of Ghana for the multi-million pound investments were mainly driven by the burning desire of job creation by the local people, political and social stability as well as the very friendly, hardworking and ambitious nature of Ghanaians which he described as “a very good fundamental building blocks for any economy”.

Group Finance Director of Bond Investments Group Holdings, Nirmal Thakar said after the initial exploration, the team will use the next three months to evaluate their findings and make a decision on which areas to invest based on priorities.

He lauded Ghana for focusing on the growth agenda.
The two companies have significant presence in Europe, Dubai and East Africa.

In the UK for instance, they are said to be behind a £250 million Marina Residential mixed scheme in the south of England; a €1billion project in Dublin as well as some high profile projects with the Defence Ministry in the UK.