Egypt

Hurghada offers great investment opportunities.

Even though the credit crunch is biting hard, investors from all over the world are still making their presence known in the overseas property markets. Whether it is in Dubai or another locale, the trend for buying overseas property continues to flourish.

According to Yorkshire Bank, nearly a million Britons alone have invested in property in one part of the world or another. This does not take into account investors from America, other parts of Europe and the east.

For many of us, golf is a sport of middle age — and older. Many people play tennis until a certain age and then take up golf. As the legendary Gary Player — now 71 years old and still very fit — once told me: “Golf is a game you can play when you grow old and fat.” For those who know me, you may think it was a pointed remark.

The Governor of the Red Sea in Egypt has decreed that the Red Sea will be the first plastic bag free Governorate with effect from 1st January 2009. This decree represents a considerable step forward in tackling the issues caused by excess rubbish and in particular plastic bags in the Red Sea.

Since the property boom in Spain in the late 1980s, many people have been on the lookout for a holiday home in the sun, as they are realising the considerable amount of equity in their property has gained in a short number of years.  Effective property investment requires much more than striking it lucky in one market.  It's about calculating risks and estimating growth and returns.  So, where should you be looking?

From its improbable pyramids and treasures, Tutankhamun's tomb to the spectacular coast, Egypt features on most people's must visit list. Yet while it attracts its fair share of tourists, it's not as well-known for its property investment opportunities.

Concerns about the threat of terrorist attack have undoubtedly played their part - the most recent incident was in 2006 - so investors have looked elsewhere.

But these days, with heightened security, those same buyers are starting to think again. The Christmas visit by President Sarkozy and Carla Bruni didn't do any harm either.

CAIRO // Egypt’s property developers say that higher market prices, brought on by an influx of Gulf-based developers and soaring construction costs, have caused a slowdown in the industry.

Analysts estimate that only two to three per cent of Egyptians can afford the properties, priced at more than 1 million Egyptian pounds (Dh687,000), that are springing up across the country.