Member Article

UKTI take North West firms to Middle East

UKTI has urged businesses in the North West to sign up to a trade mission to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in November.

Businesses have two weeks left to sign up to the visit which will include a trip to the Big 5 Construction Exhibition in Dubai.

The exhibition will give companies within both the public and private sectors the opportunity to network and source from the largest event of its kind in the Middle East.

UKTI’s trade mission will allow North West businesses to meet with architects, engineers, contractors and developers who will be showcasing their services at the Big 5 event.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) buy approximately £4.7bn worth of goods from the UK, and it is currently our largest export market in the Middle East.

The country is also one of UKTI’s “High Growth Markets”, which means the region has shown promise and potential to change the global economy, with opportunities across infrastructure, energy, defence, security, education and training, financial and professional services, as well as creative and media sectors.

UKTI will brief companies before taking them over to UAE at the beginning of November, and participants will gain from advice and connections from the organisation.

North West firms wishing to take part in similar visits can obtain financial support from UKTI through the Market Visit Support scheme.

Sandra Thornber, International Trade Adviser for UKTI North West, says,

“After a dip following the financial crisis a few years ago, construction and infrastructure projects have really picked up again in the UAE, and there is a lot going on in this very vibrant market.

“In Abu Dhabi alone there are huge opportunities in three major developments – Saadiyat Island, an island 500 metres off the coast which is home to a huge commercial, residential and leisure project currently under construction.

“Masdar City the world’s first custom built eco-city which will rely entirely on renewable energy sources and is intended as a future hub for clean technology companies.

“Yas Marina Island, the site of a multi-billion dollar tourism development which will feature attractions such as Warner Bros Movie World, Ferrari World, hotels, a water park, retail development, apartments and golf courses.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for North West companies to visit the markets with the support of an international trade team and learn first hand about the opportunities on offer.”

Successful recent projects in UAE include supply chain opportunities for the $1bn Louvre museum on Saadiyat Island, the construction of a 160,000 sq m residential complex in Abu Dhabi, and the supply and installation of a major water pipe line for a utility firm in the capital.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .