Saudi Arabia and Bahrain mission success

Regional companies which took part in a UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) supported trade mission to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this month are already enjoying business success.

A total of 15 regional firms joined the mission – the third to these destinations in two years. Companies which attended the previous two missions have already conducted significant amounts of business and competition for places on the most recent mission was intense.

The companies which managed to secure places represented a variety of industries, including construction, oil & gas, recruitment, healthcare, medical and education & training.

Having ordered UKTI’s OMIS reports, the companies had two full days of meetings with Bahrain based businesses. During the visit a reception was hosted at the residence of HM Ambassador to Bahrain, and well over 100 local businessmen and companies attended to meet with the Yorkshire and Humber firms. Companies reported high levels of interest, with some of them booking immediate orders.

From Bahrain, the group travelled across the King Fahad Causeway to Saudi Arabia. The missioners had pre-arranged appointments with companies in the Al Khobar and Dammam areas, and several companies then travelled on to the capital – Riyadh – for meetings with companies in the central region. Receptions were organised in both Al Khobar and Riyadh. Once again local businesses and influential businessmen attended to meet the companies. A great deal of interest was shown in the products and services available from Yorkshire.

Companies attending the mission included:

Faber Maunsell, a Leeds based award-winning, international consultancy specialising in buildings, transportation and environmental services.

CCS Neon, based in Leeds, which manufactures neon signs and cold cathode lighting systems.

Alfran UK Ltd, based in Holmfirth, Huddersfield, which offers a range of services including training, mentoring & consultancy.

Real World Business whose strategic planning programme has been especially developed for owner/managers of small and medium sized businesses

MIE Medical Research Ltd, a Leeds company which specialises in equipment for the objective measurements of human performance.

Lindapter, the leading solutions provider of weld free steelwork connections, based in Bradford.

ONTO, (Overseas Nurses Training Organisation) which specialises in the recruitment and training of medical staff.

m²r global – a leading international recruitment company based in Wakefield.

Total Automated Solutions which provides and maintains automation and instrumentation equipment for all types of industries including water and waste water treatment, food production and power generation.

Guardian Wealth Management which specialises in providing independent financial planning for expatriates and international workers throughout Europe.

Hull College – one of the largest further education providers in the region which is seeking to internationalise.

Mirza Shaharyar Baig Groups, a leading manufacturer of industrial safety footwear.

Thermilate (Europe), a Huddersfield-based company which manufactures thermal coating products and additives.

City of Sunderland College, which provides further educational services in the North East, and is now seeking to offer its expertise to similar establishments around the world.

UKTI  international trade adviser Brian Aungiers, who led the mission with colleague Peter Tweddle said: “This is the third mission of its kind in less than two years. Previous missions have been highly successful, and the majority of participants are now doing business with Saudi partners. Early indications are that this mission will prove to be at least if not more successful. Further missions are in the planning stage, and the next is scheduled to visit in the Autumn of 2009.