British Airways Business Opportunity Grants launch today in effort to kick-start UAE SMEs

With the economic downturn seeing business travel budgets slashed by more than 56% over the last year, British Airways Business Opportunity Grants aim to help drive forward small and medium-sized enterprises by focusing on tangible, human connections as a crucial driver of business growth.

British Airways will award 30 small to medium-sized UAE businesses free travel for one year to help support their businesses and seek out new opportunities. British Airways Business Opportunity Grant winners will be awarded 10 return British Airways Club World (business class) tickets to be used throughout 2010.

This comes hot on the heels of a recent Harvard Business Review study which reveals that 95% of leading international businesspeople said they believe that face-to-face meetings are the key to success in building and maintaining long term relationships, and 89% agree face-to-face meetings are essential for "sealing the deal."

Derek Shepherd, Chairman, NGenTec Ltd. commented, "In the current economic climate, businesses are watching their pennies and travel budgets are being severely restricted. That said, the value of face-to face meetings is incomparable, and it is encouraging to see that British Airways is supporting SME's through this difficult time by lending a helping hand and giving them the opportunity to flourish. This is great news for UAE cities."

The grants will offer winning companies the opportunity to travel overseas and conduct face-to-face business meetings that will result in stronger partnerships, new projects, and revenue for UAE cities. For the chance to win, companies should visit www.ba.com/uae-grants and state their business objectives for 2010, and how a British Airways Business Opportunity Grant would benefit their organization.

Paolo De Renzis, British Airways Area Commercial Manager, Middle East, comments:

"Bringing people together globally is one of our priority objectives, and we've long known that the key to building a successful long-term business partnership is through face-to-face meetings. There is no substitute in forging new, and cementing long-term relationships." De Renzis continues, "We believe that the British Airways Business Opportunity Grants help these businesses increase their revenues, and help with their strategic growth plans."

On board, British Airways Club World customers can enjoy a sleek, comfortable cabin environment; elegant and classically British. The business traveller's every need is catered for, and services at the Club World lounges at Heathrow Terminal 5 ensure the business traveller benefits from feeling refreshed and ready to seize every business opportunity.