British firms find business opportunities in wider Middle East

Designed to both showcase the UK's commercial strength and highlight the vast opportunities available to UK companies in the Middle East and North Africa, 'Britain in the Region' brings together over 250 British companies keen to learn more about the market.

Experts from countries across the region will share best practice and hold business master-classes, while UKTI teams from 16 countries will be on hand for one-to-one meetings with those companies interested in opportunities in their markets across all sectors.

The event, which is taking place at The Raffles Hotel, is being opened by Lord Howe, Under-Secretary of State for the Department of Health and Jon Harding, COO of UKTI, the UK government department responsible for trade and investment.

Representatives from Atkins, the consultancy responsible for the design of the Burj Al Arab; G4S, the security solutions group; The Links Group; and accountancy firm KPMG are among those on hand to offer advice on conducting business in the region.

Lord Howe, said, "The Middle East is a priority region for the UK. There is substantial scope for partnership for mutual benefit."

Speaking ahead of the event, British Consul General, Edward Hobart, said, "'Britain in the Region' is now in its eighth year and continues to go from strength to strength, providing UK firms with invaluable advice and reinforcing the importance of the region as a UK- trading partner. UKTI is committed to supporting innovative and high growth SMEs to encourage more British companies to export, and to help existing exporters reach more high growth and emerging markets. Events such as 'Britain in the Region' are key to realising these goals."

Dr Salem Abdul Rahman Al Darmaky, Acting Under Secretary, Ministry of Health, said, "We have a lot of coordination with the UK healthcare system, and we work with both their private and public sectors, and this will continue in the future."