Leicestershire
Companies Get Set for Qatar Trading
A group of Leicestershire business people has been expanding horizons
and building international relationships with a recent trip to Qatar.
The 'Go Qatar' market visit, organised by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI)
and East Midlands Development Agency (emda), saw eight bosses from regional
businesses spend seven days in the country's capital, Doha. The group
met local Qatari business people and learnt about trading in the country.
Arthur Calow, Managing Director of Leicester-based Fire Curtains Ltd,
which makes automatic smoke and fire curtains, said: 'The Qatar market
offers Fire Curtains an excellent opportunity for significantly increasing
our overseas sales in this very positive marketplace. Our quality products
are now going through the various local approvals and certifications;
the market visit certainly helped confirm my views that Qatar is really
taking off and a place that we really need to be involved in.'
Steve Brown, Deputy Chairman of emda, attended a number of high-level
meetings with key personnel at companies including Arup, the Qatar Science
and Technology Park, the International Bank of Qatar, WS Atkins and Partners,
and the Chairman of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said:
'The East Midlands exports more per employee than any other region in
England - a testimony to the great drive and professionalism that our
businesses show in the global market place. Our visit to Doha confirmed
the incredible growth that Qatar is experiencing. Given both the UK and
Qatar have a common aim in wanting to build on the strong relationships
that have existed between the two countries over many years, and to further
expand trade, I believe that there are currently huge opportunities for
East Midlands companies to develop profitable business in Qatar.
'I was able to meet with several senior members of potential business
partners in Qatar and discuss the prospects for East Midlands companies
to do business in Qatar and the wider Gulf area. The visit was just the
beginning, as we are now pursuing a number of very interesting opportunities
to hopefully significantly increase trade between the East Midlands &
Qatar.'
Qatar is located in the heart of the Arabian Gulf (just an hour's flight
from Dubai/Abu Dhabi) and has ambitious growth plans; economic growth
has exceeded 25% year on year for the past three years.
Jake Shaw, Managing Director of Nottingham-based Fire Factory, a media
and video production company, said: 'For a company of only four staff
this was a tremendous opportunity to make an inroad into the very exciting
Qatari market place. I do feel that there are great opportunities for
Fire Factory with our advanced technical skills, but the market visit
also certainly opened my eyes in terms of learning about the local market
and selling methodology, as well as giving me the chance to travel and
interact with some very experienced East Midlands companies.'
Steve Barton, International Trade Adviser at UKTI, has been involved in
the Middle East for a number of years and has led market visits to Dubai,
Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Oman over the past five years. He said: 'This market
visit has again reinforced the view that the Qatari market is one that
East Midlands companies need to be involved in as soon as possible. Huge
growth, financial stability through massive gas reserves, a 'can do' attitude,
together with an ever increasing realisation that quality does matter,
and pro-British feeling, make it an ideal destination for any company
with products and services that carry the key aspects of uniqueness, fitness
for purpose and provide value for money.
'All the visit participants have made a very successful inroad into Qatar,
and are now busy looking at 'next steps' including quotes, setting up
agency or distributorship agreements, or making other longer term arrangements
to satisfy this exciting and developing market.'
Peter Hogarth, UK Trade & Investment's International Trade Director
in the East Midlands, said: 'Research shows that businesses that export
their goods and services are more competitive than those that don't, which
is just one of the many reasons regional companies should consider exporting
to help their business grow.
'Experience shows that if a company has a product or service that is unique
or innovative and sells well in the UK, then they can sell it overseas
- it's often just a case of identifying the right market and the right
contacts, which is where UK Trade & Investment can help.'
Companies interested in finding out more about international trade opportunities
can contact UKTI East Midlands team on 0845 052 4001.
Web: http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
Web: http://www.smoke-curtain.co.uk
