by David Jones

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, contactKatherine@vanquishdevelopments.comor call 07974 112 203.