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V IJ AY CONST R UCT I O N

Family-owned construction business capitalises on growth in Seychellesâ€™ tourism sector www.vijay.sc

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WorkingTogether to Deliver

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With 36 years of experience in the construction and civil engineering industries in Seychelles, Vijay Construction has reaped the benefits of the country’s hotel boom in the late 90s-early 2000s, and is now seeking a new challenge to diversify its portfolio Writer: Emily Jarvis • Project Manager: Stuart Parker stablished in 1979, Vijay Construction has grown from a small familyowned Company handling just two hotel projects, into a multi-disciplinary organisation offering in-house construction capabilities through a team of more than 50 trained professionals and close-to 1,500 skilled tradesmen. Chief Executive Officer, V.J Patel reminisces: “I started the Company as 90 percent shareholder, with my wife and brother taking a five percent share

each. To this day, I hold 80 percent shareholding and the rest is distributed among the longstanding senior members of staff and close family. “From the beginning, our clients showed confidence in the business and, given my background working as a civil engineer - and eventually a Company Director - for the famous Laxmanbhai Construction, Vijay Construction started with its best foot forward.” Despite the challenging reverse business climate in the early 1980s due to the political unrest in Seychelles,

Eden Bleu Hotel by night

Vijay Construction weathered the storm and emerged more motivated than ever before; leveraging the reliable local team gathered over this decade to take part in the construction boom which followed in the late 1990s. “In the past 10 years alone, business has grown beyond expectation; something that is hard to imagine for a Company that started with just two employees in the late 1970s. In the last financial year, we achieved a turnover of $50 million, thanks in

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JYOTI IMPEX

yoti Impex is a multi-commodity merchant export company specializing in a variety of products and value-added services. Working with multi-nationals in India and across the world, we are a multi commodity exports company specialising in, but not limited to: • Products for the construction industry • Engineering related equipment • Medicines and medicinal products Our company delivers on product, reach and professional services to ensure that deliveries are always on time and with the desired output. T +91 9820612178 (Mr Suresh Shah) +91 9819507080 (Mr Vipul Shah) E admin@jyotiimpex.co.in

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Eden Bleu Hotel conference room

V.J. Patel, CEO A civil engineer by profession, Patel started his construction career in Nairobi, working for Laxmanbhai. After demonstrating his management skills, he was relocated and appointed as the Company Director for Seychelles in 1973 as part of Laxmanbhai’s geographic expansion strategy. Becoming a five percent shareholder in this time, Patel remained as the Director of the Seychelles’ division for four years before “going solo” and trying his hand at the construction game by “directly competing with his previous work”, through the formation of Vijay Construction.

part to the government’s opening of the construction market to foreign investment,” he adds. However, a recent change in government ruling has called for the construction of new hotels in Seychelles to cease; resulting in a potential opportunity for Vijay Construction to explore potential long-term investment opportunities in other prospering markets in Africa and beyond.

Eden Island

Eden Island has been a key project responsible for the continued growth of Vijay Construction over the past two decades. Having defaulted on international loans in 2002, the Seychellois government was seeking ways to improve its tourism offering so that the profits from the largely foreign-owned five-star resorts would stay in the country and contribute to job creation and the local economy. One such project in the final phase

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L.CANNATA & SONS

ince 1910, L. Cannata & Sons has specialised in the supply, manufacture and installation of top quality natural and engineered stone products for most applications, namley counter and vanity tops, staircases, fireplaces, wall and floor cladding, specialised tiling and custom designed furniture. The family-run Company’s reputation for excellent service and workmanship has culminated in a strong global presence and strengthening of its supply chain in supplying a vast array of products, ranging from bespoke stone slabs, mosaics and tiles; completing projects for numerous industry professionals, including the likes of Vijay Construction, in the process. T 0027 21 510 8553 E sales@cannata.co.za info@cannata.co.za

www.cannatagranite.co.za

Jyoti Impex is a multi-commodity merchant export company specializing in a variety of products and value added services. www.jyotiimpex.co.in Email: admin@jyotiimpex.co.in Tel: 022-25015081 to 86 / 25012727

› Products for the Construction Industry › Engineering related equipment › Medicines and medicinal products amongst others

Contacts Mr. Suresh Shah - 9820612178 Mr. Vipul Shah - 9819507080

LCCL 19 10

C ANN ATA L.Cannata & Sons (Cape)

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LONGSPAN GUTTERS

stablished in 1980, Longspan Gutters is the leader in rainwater dispersal systems in Africa.

Our team of skilled and experienced personnel strive for excellence through our commitment to provide world-class products and customer service. Being a full-service gutter business, we provide our customers with a comprehensive solution to most configurations. We manufacture high quality rainwater products that are carefully packaged and stocked in our Warehouse. Our Customer Service Centre distributes our products world-wide.

T +27 (0) 21 521 0000 E info@longspangutters.com

www.longspangutters.com Eden Island, a R5 billion public private partnership project has created more than 700 permanent jobs

of development is Eden Island, a R5 billion public private partnership project comprised of high quality villas, apartments, housing, two marinas and commercial buildings. Initial building works include the construction of a bridge to reconnect the reclaimed, manmade island with the capital, Victoria, which is just 100 metres away. “The bridge was completed in early 2006 and ever since then, we have been building the residential area, which is now home to many foreign residents, with 40 percent of the occupants South African in origin,” explains Patel, adding that the Island created more than 700 permanent jobs, and it is hoped that the development will contribute an impressive 45 percent of the country’s GDP and nine percent of the total foreign direct investment. “As the island was manmade, we had to be mindful of the marine life as the environment is one of Seychelles’ most valuable assets that must be

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ACEE ELECTRIC PTE LTD

A As the island was manmade, we had to be mindful of the marine life as the environment is one of Seychelles’ most valuable assets...

CEE Electric Pte Ltd supplies a wide range of branded electrical and hardware products. These renowned brands include TERASAKI, GRASSLIN, SCHNEIDER, BRANDES, TECS, PROCONECT, GREENLAND PLASTICS and many more. Our quality assurance coupled with our dedicated and enthusiastic employees ensures that we always bring an excellent level of professional service to our valued customers; making sure to add that personal touch to our service delivery. With an expansive product portfolio available, ranging from small accessories to switchboard panels, we pride ourselves on our position as a one-stop supplier for your electrical and hardware needs.

www.acee.com.sg

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AXIOS GROUP

ince May 2000, the AXIOS Group of Companies has designed and built many of the leading Wellness Centres in the Indian Ocean, especially in Mauritius, Reunion, Seychelles, Madagascar and Mayotte. We are a leading expert in the region in the supply and maintenance of Fitness Equipments, floorings, accessories, Saunas and Hammams. We have worked with Resort and Business Hotels as well as Private Gym owners, to provide the best solutions and brands at the most competitive prices. DO CONTACT US! Address 8 John F.Kennedy St Floreal – Mauritius T (230) 698 8090 F (230) 698 8091 T (230) 59 19 30 10

Eden Bleu bar is in a relaxed setting with views of the marina

protected. This government-driven ethos extends throughout all of our marine projects,” he notes. Utilising its in-house complete support service offering, Vijay Construction was responsible for all aspects of the build, handling everything from construction and project management, right through to plumbing, electrical, mechanical, steel works, engineering and even the air conditioning requirements. Patel says: “The project was due to be completed a number of years ago, but due to the financial crisis and factors out of our control, it is now scheduled for total completion in the first half of 2016. Moreover, after completing the residential component, we noticed that the apartment blocks proved more appealing than the villas, so we have now converted a number of these which has increased the apartments available to 600, and we continue to see good sales from this.” In addition to the ongoing Eden

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...Vijay Construction is currently involved in the construction of two large hotels, the Raffles Resort in Praslin and H Hotel on mainland Mahe...

Island project, Vijay Construction is currently involved in the construction of two large hotels, the Raffles Resort in Praslin and H Hotel on mainland Mahe, worth $100 million and $50 million respectively; as well as $10 million worth of extension work on a Four Seasons hotel, which will comprise staff housing and a casino. “This has bolstered our portfolio as a welcome addition to Eden Island and with the government encouraging

Eden Plaza shopping centre

Wellness - Fitness - Sport

AXIOS GROUP LTD 8 John F.Kennedy St Floreal – Mauritius Tel: (230) 698 8090 Fax: (230) 698 8091 Mobile: (230) 59 19 30 10

E XC L U S I V E agents for MATRIX FITNESS (USA) and THERMARIUM (Austria) in the Indian Ocean Islands

Eden Island’s beach villas offer high class accomodation

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foreign investment, we are able to leverage the skills and reputation we have developed over the years to work closely with these investors,” he highlights. Moreover, when construction at Eden Island was at its peak in 2009, Vijay Construction also had the privilege of working on the Raffles Hotel and Resort, which was completed in 2010. “Our turnover at this time was beyond our dreams and we were at our peak in terms of people, employing more than 2,000 tradesmen,” Patel further notes.

Always a warm welcome at the Raffles Hotel and Resort

Marine leaders

Ongoing projects

ZIL PASYON Many years in the making, the Zil Pasyon tourist resort on the stunning Felicite Island is one of the most scenic locations of the inner Seychelles archipelago. A $45 million hotel project is now on track for completion in the first half of 2016. “This is a significant project for us, consisting of 35 furnished villas on the hilltop with a panoramic view of the adjoining islands, along with a hotel built around the coastline. Access to the hotel by sea is currently via a 50 metre jetty or by helicopter,” comments Patel.

With Seychelles surrounded by the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean, Patel and his team have been able to perfect the art of marine-based engineering. “With plenty of experience now under our belts, we have taken to the sea like a duck to water, and we see ourselves as the number one marine contractor in Seychelles,” he says. Vijay has tackled a number of different marine projects, the majority of which require a skill called piling, which can be a challenging task. Patel explains the process: “We take a steel tube and use a crane to lift it into the sea. Then we have a mechanical hammer at the top of the crane that is used to hit and drive the steel tube into the seabed. Once the tube hits the hard rock we fill it with concrete so that if over the years the tube rusts,

FISHING QUAY Due to be completed in March next year, Vijay Construction is building a new 425 metre-long fishing quay. This is being done by driving 27 metre-long sheet piles in a water depth of 10 to 14 metres. Eden Marina

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Round Island in Praslin, completed in 2006

Vijay Construction increased the number of apartments available at Eden Island to 600 to cater for demand

the concrete will become the column. This ensures that whatever we are building has a strong foundation that will last a long time.” So far, the maximum depth Vijay Construction has piled is 48 metres for a wind turbine project.

knowledge and expertise to correctly handle their job role to the best of their ability. “After receiving our in-house training and working their way up from a junior level, we then trust our people to do a responsible job and, in return, the employee knows that the whole Company is behind them in their In-house expertise decision-making. Investing in our people Seychelles has a relatively small population of around 90,000, which not only makes us more efficient, but gives us a competitive edge and makes retaining local employees incredibly important to the longevity of equips us with committed employees. any business operating in the country. Moreover, by handling all aspects of construction in-house, we also At Vijay Construction, the training of create a long-term cost saving for local people is a constant exercise in order to make sure that each member ourselves,” Patel states. of staff is equipped with the necessary

Faced with the government decision to halt further construction of new hotels in Seychelles, Vijay Construction looks forward to the completion of its current hotel projects, as well as an exciting future in infrastructure; strengthening the developing country’s water, sewage, road, marine and other civil engineering needs. Patel concludes: “Outside the country, there is also the potential to expand, but we remain cautious as the market in Seychelles could still present us new opportunities, which we will of course be keen to capitalise on.”

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VIJAY CONSTRUCTION P. O. Box 501 Victoria Mahe Seychelles T: +248 43 73 423 F: +248 43 73 470 E: email@vijay.sc