14/11/2005

Middle Eastern trade mission organised by Invest NI

More than 20 local companies are aiming to boost sales in the Middle East by taking part in two Invest NI organised events in the region over the next two weeks.

Eleven companies are taking part in a trade mission to Kuwait, Qatar and Dubai from 14-22 November and a similar number will be visiting Big 5, the biggest construction industry exhibition in the Middle East and South East Asia, which takes place in Dubai from 16-20 November.

The visits are being co-ordinated by Invest NI’s Technology and Development Centre (NITDC) in Dubai, the main business and financial centre in the United Arab Emirates.

Leading the trade mission is Michael Craig, the NITDC Director. Four of the companies in the delegation – Fayrefield Foods, Mivan, MWM Sports Management and Rutledge Joblink - have offices in the Gulf, including three which are based at NITDC (Fayrefield Foods; MWM Sports; and Rutledge Joblink). Another company with an office at NITDC, Land Survey Services of Gilford, will also be visiting Big 5.

Commenting on the trade mission and the Big 5 exhibition, Michael Craig said: “The two groups are broadly representative and reflect the extent of expertise and quality products from Northern Ireland. Many of the companies are already established in the Gulf and are keen to develop existing business and to explore opportunities developing in growth sectors such as construction, tourism and leisure.

“While the Gulf continues to be popular with Northern Ireland manufacturers, companies offering expert services, such as construction, recruitment, training, media and software, are increasingly looking towards the region for business, Northern Ireland has significant expertise in all these areas."

Visiting the Gulf for the first time on an Invest NI trade mission are 8Over8, a developer of software for the oil, gas and utilities industries; Toughglass, a manufacturer of strengthened and curved glass; and Windell, a specialist in blast proof windows. Most of the companies attending Big 5 are also new to the Gulf.

(SP/MB)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

15 January 2007
NI companies sign up for Enterprise Ireland trade mission
Sixteen local companies and the University of Ulster are being assisted by Invest Northern Ireland to take part in the Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates led by Bertie Ahern, the Irish Prime Minister.
12 May 2009
Construction Firms Head To Gulf On Trade Mission
Twenty-eight local companies and university representatives, including several specialising in construction and environmental technologies, are currently in Saudi Arabia as part of an Invest NI trade mission.
26 February 2010
Good Morning Vietnam: Invest NI Flies East
Eight Northern Ireland companies are taking part in the first Invest Northern Ireland trade mission to Vietnam. The companies will be based in Ho Chi Minh City and will be seeking to develop trade and other business relationships with enterprises in Vietnam.
13 May 2009
NI Builders On Eastern European Trade Mission
Twenty five local companies - more than half of which are from the construction and building sectors - are in the midst of a Invest NI-backed trade mission to Bulgaria and Romania. The mission, which will be based in the key business centres of Sofia and Bucharest, is being assisted by commercial staff at UK diplomatic posts in both markets.
16 March 2009
Trade Mission Targets America
A trade mission to America underway this St Patrick's Day is the first in a programme of 10 such business visits for Northern Ireland companies being organised by Invest Northern Ireland to North America during 2009.