22/02/2005

Local firms on Dubai expansion mission

Fourteen companies from across Northern Ireland are currently in the Arabian Gulf as part of an Invest NI mission to Qatar, Oman and Dubai.

The visit is part of expansion plans by local firms to set up a base in the Northern Ireland Technology and Development Centre (NITDC) in Dubai.

Alan Hingston, Invest NI’s Trade director, said: “The NITDCs were established as a key element in our strategic focus on encouraging more Northern Ireland companies to enter international markets and to assist them to do so by providing a framework of advice and facilities that enhances their knowledge and exporting capability.

“The initiative is producing tangible benefits for companies and Northern Ireland. Companies located in the Dubai centre, for instance, generated new business worth almost £30 million over the past 18 months.”

One of the companies on the trip, which runs from 18-28th February, is MWM Sports Management Group of Holywood, Co Down.

MWM, which provides a range of specialist services including corporate hospitality, event management, business performance coaching, sponsorship and incentive reward schemes, is locating Judith Murray, a senior executive, at NITDC, which is located in Dubai’s prestigious Internet City.

“Our decision to move into Dubai is the result of extensive research to identify further opportunities overseas for our professional services,” said Max Williamson, MWM’s Managing Director.

“We were attracted to Dubai by its fast economic growth, its developing business base that includes many US, UK and Japanese companies and its emergence as a sports and tourism centre.”

Seven companies are visiting the region for the first time on the Invest NI trade mission. The newcomers to these markets are: Broadcast and Electronics Solutions, Omagh; CDE Ireland, Cookstown; Delta Systems, Derry; H2O, Portaferry; Lightstep, Lurgan and Trackcare, Belfast.

(MB/SP)

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