TWO brothers, who are among Britain’s richest Asians, are bucking the the credit crunch by expanding their business across the world.

Vijay Patel, 58, and his brother Bhikhu, 60, own Waymade Healthcare in Basildon. They maintained their third place in Britain’s Asian Rich List at a glittering business awards show at Wembley Stadium last night.

The brothers, originally fron Kenya, have an estimated personal fortune of £750million, built up since they opened their first pharmacy in Leigh in 1975.

They have gone on to build a pharmaceutical empire which now reaches 109 contries. Their wealth has increased from £500million this time last year.

Vijay said: “Over the past three years we have gone global with our pharmaceutical business. We are selling our products abroad and that has put us on the map.”

Operating overseas was one of the main reasons the business was thriving, despite the dire economic situation, said Vijay.

He said: “If you are importing a product from Europe then it is very difficult in this current climate because the pound is so weak you are paying 30 per cent more then a year ago.

“But if, as we are, you are selling your product in different markets you get more sterling for your money.”

Vijay lost his father when he was just five years old, leaving his mum Shantaben to raise him and Bhikhu all by herself.

Despite their humble beginnings, the entrepreneurs opened Chemys, in Leigh, and then launched Waymade Healthcare in 1984. They now employ around 600 people.

Vijay said: “I’m very proud where we have come from. We still have that pharmacy in Leigh and we love working in Basildon.

“I was always a very ambitious young man, despite coming from humble beginnings. But without the people we have working here none of this would have happened.”

He said budding entrepreneurs should not be put off by the credit crunch. He said: “What I always tell them is never take defeat. If a bank says it won’t lend you the money to start up a business now, don’t give up.

“There will always be setbacks, but these are temporary. Don’t be put off by them.”

Top of the Asian Rich List was businessman Lord Swraj Paul and second was the Jatania family, who own cosmetics companies.