Michael Ahern Leads Trade Mission To The Gulf

Participating companies come from several sectors including telecoms, engineering, automotive, risk management, education, project management, tourism and leisure and other sectors.

Speaking from Riyadh, Minister Ahern said: "Trade between Ireland and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been growing steadily in recent years and Irish companies continue to flourish in Saudi Arabia. The most recent figures, for the year to November 2007, show that Irish companies increased their sales in Saudi Arabia by almost 12% to €345 million. Irish-owned SMEs have been the leaders in sales growth, achieving average year-on-year sales increases of 20% plus.

"Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates represents the fastest growing market for Irish companies in the Gulf region. Total Irish exports have more than doubled in the past four years and there are now more than 100 Irish companies that export to the UAE.

"We look forward, as a further strengthening of these links, to the visit to Ireland later this year of HRH Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Al Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. We also welcome the decision of Saudi Arabia to open an Embassy in Dublin this year."