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Scotland To Boost Business Relations With UAE |
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As business links between Scotland and the Middle East continue to grow, Keith Brown, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, is to head one of its biggest delegations to ADIPEC, which will take place from November 7th - 10th, 2016, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, ADNEC. The delegation will include 80 of Scotland’s most prominent oil and gas companies, with 60 exhibiting on the Scotland pavilion and a further 20 attending with their own stands or joining partners/agents at their stands. The Cabinet Secretary’s visit has been organised by Scottish Development International, the Scottish Government’s international arm. Oil and gas is one of the most important sectors for the Scottish economy. In March 2016, the Scottish Survey of International Activity for the Oil and Gas Sector 2014/15 showed international activity reached a record US$14.68 billion (AED54 billion). The Middle East is a key market for Scotland’s oil and gas industry with international sales between the two regions reaching AED4.64 billion in 2014. The Middle East is also a top ranked region for immediate growth opportunities according to the International Activity of the Scottish Oil and Gas Supply Chain Survey. Ahead of his visit, Keith Brown said, "The recent market has been challenging for the oil and gas industry, with global oversupply and a constrained economic outlook in several key markets negatively impacting prices. At a time of significant change in the oil and gas industry, it's crucial that Scotland's supply chain companies continue to seek out new opportunities at home and in abroad. Building on existing relationships in the Middle East, ADIPEC provides an ideal platform to showcase Scotland’s supply chain companies. Many of our firms offer innovative products and services in a range of industry sub-sectors and help develop greater operational efficiency in projects, which are needed given the current cost-conscious climate. " With Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030, UAE companies are particularly focused on diversifying local expertise into non-oil and gas sectors. Whether through direct trade, deep water drilling, health and safety and training services, it is clear that the need for new technologies offered by many of the firms visiting from Scotland is growing. Scottish supply chain companies have specifically identified the UAE as a key global market which offers attractive growth opportunities. Held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the event is expected to attract more than 2,300 exhibiting companies, 8,500 delegates, 700 speakers, and 100,000 trade professionals from 135 countries. |
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