A delegation of U.A.E. government and legal representatives led by The Links Group, company formation specialists, took part in a four-city investment roadshow in the UK at the end of September where they met with trade promotion bodies in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh to educate British companies about the benefits of expanding to U.A.E.
More than 200 British delegates attended the ‘Opportunities Dubai’ seminars of which 30% said they planned to expand their businesses to U.A.E. over the short to medium term. Many of the companies expressed interest in investing in Dubai’s thriving economy and taking advantage of its global strategic importance as a trading hub and top tourist destination.
In addition to highlighting the business opportunities generated by Dubai’s booming tourism and hospitality sector, members of the delegation discussed the attractiveness of setting up a business in Dubai, particularly as a means of accessing the markets of the wider Middle East.
The expected economic windfall generated by Dubai’s hosting of Expo 2020 was also a major focus of discussion with British companies keen to understand how they could benefit from investments related to the city’s build-up for the event.
“The appetite for expansion to U.A.E. among British companies remains strong. Each of the four investment seminars was oversubscribed with delegates representing a diverse number of industries including education, banking and finance, manufacturing & distribution, energy management and start-ups,” said John Martin St. Valery, Founding Partner of The Links Group.
“While some of the companies have already established distribution channels in Dubai, they still expressed interest in forming a permanent presence through The Links Group’s corporate nominee structure as a means of protecting their ownership interests and extending their business footprints. We will be working closely with Dubai FDI and our partners to help convert some of this interest,” he added.
The roadshow was supported by the Middle East Association, regional offices of UK Trade & Investments (UKTI) and Scottish Development International (SDI) who, in line with the British Government’s industrial strategy, are helping to encourage firms to invest and export more to emerging economies.
“The emerging economies of the Middle East, accessed through U.A.E., present attractive opportunities for British companies across a multitude of sectors. British companies remain global leaders in a number of industries and their expertise is highly sought in fast growing markets like Dubai. By working with The Links Group and local government authorities and business practitioners, we are able to help connect British companies to these opportunities,” said Sandra Thornber, International Trade Adviser, UK Trade & Investment North West.
Source : WAM News Agency for United Arab Emirates
