On November 9, 2019, a delegation of 21 businesses will arrive in the UAE as part of a week-long trade mission from Wales.
The companies, which are prime examples of the best Wales has to offer from across the energy and environment, technology and manufacturing sectors, will be attending the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (ADIPEC) 2019.
12 of the trade mission businesses will be exhibiting on the Wales stand (8560) at the conference, which is part of the wider UK Pavilion in hall 8. ADIPEC is taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from November 11 to 14.
Commenting on the mission, Welsh Government Minister for international relations, Eluned Morgan, said, “Wales has a rich history of innovation and a thriving culture of enterprise, which we look forward to showcasing throughout this trade mission to the UAE. The quality and number of businesses we’re supporting on the trade mission reflects the strength and depth of Wales’ energy and environment, technology and advanced manufacturing industries, and ADIPEC 2019 will provide an ideal platform to highlight what these twenty-one companies have to offer. With its dynamic, rapidly growing and open market, the UAE is an important trade partner for Wales and strengthening ties between our two nations is a priority for the Welsh government.”
“As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that Wales’ diverse industries continue to flourish and grow, we remain fully committed to selling Wales to the world. This trade mission is a valuable opportunity to highlight that Wales is very much open for business and keen to further develop its trading relationship with the UAE,” she concluded.
Strengthening bilateral ties
The Welsh government has had a presence in the UAE since 2004, when it opened a permanent office at the British Embassy in Dubai. Its remit is to promote Wales and represent the nation’s trade interests across the whole Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The importance of the MENA Office’s operation has been underlined by the high value of Welsh exports to the markets it oversees. Between 2013 and 2018, exports of goods from Wales to the region reached a cumulative total of £5.8 billion ($7.4 billion), while the UAE was Wales’ seventh-largest export destination in 2018 (a total of £498 million, or $638.8 million) and second only to the USA out of all non-EU markets.
The Welsh delegation
The Welsh businesses exhibiting at ADIPEC include: