The Egyptian owner of Eagle Divers, who was enabled to expand his Northern Ireland diving operation with the help of a British Business Bank loan scheme, has been named one of the 12 UK Small Business Ambassadors for 2023/24.
Many UK divers have moved to the Red Sea to work in the diving industry over the years, but instructor Zee Azab made the opposite move – from Sharm el Sheikh to Belfast.
He was initially inspired by a family trip in 2001 when, driving along the Northern Irish coast on his second day in the country, he had started picking out likely dive-sites.
“Northern Ireland’s coastline is a treasure-trove of great sites to explore, even if the waters are a little colder,” he says. “There is such a rich maritime history here, with so much to explore under the water.”
Azab continued working as a diving instructor in Sharm until 2007, when he returned to Northern Ireland and set up his first dive-centre, Zidivers. Three years later he set up Eagle Divers Egypt in Sharm but sold his shares in the Red Sea centre in 2014 and went on to establish Eagle Divers Northern Ireland.
“We launched this new venture after the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021,” he told Divernet. “Our passion for water sports led us to apply for a loan through British Business Bank to expand our business and add a few additional activity centres around Northern Ireland.
“In addition to diving, we now offer water-bikes, paddle-boarding, kayaking and even a barbecue boat for tours. At our dive-centre we provide PADI and SSI courses and powerboat training – and there are two more Eagle Divers coming up soon this year: one in Spain and one in Abu Dhabi.”
Start Up Loans
Through a network of business support partner organisations, the government-backed British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme provides access to pre- and post-loan support to help applicants to develop a business plan; fixed-interest first and second loans of up to £25,000 to start or grow their business; and mentoring support to help with everything from cash flow to marketing.
Now in its eighth year, the Start Up Loan Ambassador initiative was set up to celebrate exceptional business-owners who have launched or grown a business using the scheme. Through local and national activities the ambassadors are expected to encourage new entrepreneurs – which could include other divers hoping to start their own scuba businesses.
The ambassadors are drawn from each of the UK’s 12 nations and regions, with Azab and Eagle Divers NI now representing Northern Ireland. “We’re excited to be part of the BBB Start Up Loans programme, and look forward to any opportunities for collaboration,” he told Divernet.
“Zee had very firm plans for his business and the British Business Bank is pleased to be able to help him bring them to fruition,” says Susan Nightingale, the bank’s UK network director for the devolved nations. “I believe his story can help inspire other entrepreneurs to follow their dream and start up their own business.
“Start Up Loans is making a difference in Northern Ireland, having issued loans totalling more than £14.5 million, and we are committed to providing support and funding to smaller businesses with entrepreneurial ambitions across all industry sectors.”
“It’s great to see entrepreneurs like Zee launching businesses using the Start Up Loans programme and becoming ambassadors for the scheme,” commented Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker. “I hope Zee’s success will encourage other entrepreneurs to pursue their goals.”
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