International engineering contractor ODE has chosen Cairo for its first overseas office outside the UK. “The company was in Egypt for the long-term future and aimed to build its business,” said Peter Godfrey, Chairman and Managing Director of ODE in the launching ceremony held in Cairo.
The London-based company believes there is tremendous potential in and around Egypt to further develop its oil and gas interests. “UK interest is probably bigger there than in any other country in the world and there is everything you need to do business. We want to be part of that action,” said Godfrey.
Most of the major national companies are operating in Egypt, nearly all from UK bases. ODE already has business there but wants to expand it considerably. The former BG man Neil Clark has been appointed as ODE North Africa LLC General Manager. Clark, who has lived in the city for a long time, is integrated into the business community.
The ceremony witnessed the attendance of distinguished guests, among which Dominic Asquith, the British Ambassador to Egypt, who welcomed in his keynote speech the arrival of another UK company investing into the Egyptian market. “ODE is a highly respected contractor to both the oil and gas industry offshore and onshore as well as renewable energy with its wind farm technology,” stated the Ambassador.
He was delighted that ODE is committed to Egypt and to a training program of a strong Egyptian indigenous engineering workforce, since he believes that the country had a lot of young talent to offer.
“The oil and gas industry is of primary importance to Egypt, as we all well know. So, renewable energy shall become more and more important too, as the planet seeks to reduce the effects of climate change,” he added.
At the official opening, Godfrey said his vision for ODE’s role in North Africa is an exciting and compelling one; the company wants to partner Egyptian state organizations and private enterprise and has a collaboration agreement with the Egyptian engineering company OnSpec Engineering Solutions.
