Bond Group undertakes visibility studies in Ghana

A reputable British conglomerate, the Bond Group are in Ghana to undertake visibility studies towards setting up operations in the West African country in a move which would have enormous impact on the economy.

The firm which consists of real estate arm, SD&B International and an investment arm, Bond Investment Group with their main operations in the UK have expressed the strongest desire to operate in Ghana as well, citing the country’s relative stable economic growth, less security concerns and peaceful political framework.

Senior officials of the firm led by Dr. Hitesh Bodani, Chairman of the Bond Group Holdings 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 specializes in property and infrastructure design, Investment, turnkey construction and project management.

Leader of the three-member delegation, Dr. Hitesh Bodani, says the team has been thrilled by the investment prospects of the nation having visited several earmarked cites for massive infrastructural development and holding initial talks with the relevant authorities.

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

“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 and inequality and abject poverty through more investment in job creation and learning and driving innovation and skills through better training and educational facilities and give private sector an opportunity to participate in wider social needs projects as their philanthropic contribution.”

Dr. Hitesh Bodani adds that the firm he represents is eager to partner government and the private sector to revolutionize 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,” he continued.

“Your airport clearly needs expansion, to make it a modern tourist-led and cargo infrastructure and logistics hub for North-west Africa.

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 while easing the pressure on the regular source of hydro power.

“Solar energy is a typical example. What we want to do is build a scalable 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 wellbeing 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 firm 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 €1 billion project in Dublin as well as some high profile projects with the Defence Ministry in the UK.