Enterprise Ireland
Annual Report and Accounts 2007
Annual Report and Accounts 2007
The Enterprise Ireland trade mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in 2007 was the largest and one of the most high-profile trade promotion events in recent years.
Led by the then Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern T.D. the delegation to the Gulf was accompanied by Minister Micheál Martin, Minister Mary Coughlan, Minister Mary Hanafin and Frank Ryan, Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Ireland.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are among the two most important markets for Irish exporters to the Gulf States.
Oil revenues, booming tourism, property development, and significant state capital expenditure in areas such as Healthcare, Education, Construction, Water and the Environment sectors, have driven recent strong economic performance.
A total of 117 Irish companies and educational institutions participated, primarily from the ICT, Educational Services, Environmental and Engineering Services, Medical Devices, and Food and Drinks sectors. The all-island event included representatives from 20 Northern Ireland firms.
During the five-day trip more than 1,200 meetings took place between the Irish delegates and potential or existing customers. Contracts entered into between Irish suppliers and customers in the Gulf are expected to reach €65 million over the next 12 to 36 months. In the Education sector alone contracts to the value of €30 million were signed.
The Taoiseach addressed two major Enterprise Ireland business events in Riyadh and Dubai, attended by approximately 900 people. Other events organised by Enterprise Ireland included a software workshop at which Minister Martin was guest of honour, and two education workshops at which Minister Hanafin presided.
At the conclusion of the mission the Taoiseach said that the scale and scope of the contracts demonstrated that Irish companies and organisations, north and south, have the capability and the practical competitive solutions to compete and win in global markets.
The high level of interest and participation among clients and the wider business community indicates the value Irish companies continue to place in this type of mission. Enterprise Ireland has offices in Dubai and Riyadh to service the region.
