Gulf States offer hope for exports firms told

WEST Midlands companies looking to boost their exports have been urged to exploit business opportunities emerging in the Gulf States.    
     
The West Midlands UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) said the region had strong links with the Gulf and firms could tap into these in order to sustain growth.

UKTI international trade adviser Terence Madkins, based at Black Country Chamber of Commerce, is the region’s specialist on the Gulf.

He said: “The West Midlands has strong trading links with the Gulf but we need to continue to build on this to be viewed as the commercial partner of choice.

“West Midlands companies are well placed to offer the quality, experience, innovation and expertise to help deliver the Gulf region’s ambitious development schemes, which provide vast opportunities.”

He said both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia had large spending programmes focused on infrastructure improvements.

“All the Emirate states have similar spending trends: upgrading roads, creating rail networks, new ports and airports, and initiating employment creation schemes,” he said.

These tend to evolve alongside social investment in healthcare, hospitals, education, schools and universities, with the intention of diversifying the economy away from oil and gas extraction.

Underlying all these projects was a need for products and services extending to consultancy, teachers and trainers, all of which the West Midlands was capable of supplying, added Mr Madkins.

To help companies from the West Midlands develop their export potential in the Gulf, UKTI is staging an event giving businesses the opportunity to talk to specialists on the Middle East.

The event, which takes place at Birmingham Council House on March 9, follows on from the Prime Minister’s recent visit to the Gulf States where he flagged up the importance of the region’s economy to the UK. In 2009, UK exports to the Gulf were worth around £15bn.