More Queensland Firsts in the Middle East
Queensland Government Trade Mission Report, 01/01/2007
To boost trade and investment opportunities, the Queensland Government has appointed more trade representatives in the Middle East.
Queensland has become the first Australian state or territory to do this in Saudi Arabia, and the first in the city of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE has one of the highest per capita incomes in the Middle East and its rapid growth is driving demand for imported goods and services. Along with a building and construction boom, there is rising demand for expertise in areas such as engineering and financial services, tourism, education and training, as well as information and communications technology.
Mr Ross McDonald, representing the Robert Bird Group, a leading Queensland engineering firm, was one of the mission's business delegates to Abu Dhabi. "Being able to meet local people and consultants, including State Development representatives, was very useful," said Mr McDonald.
Other Queensland companies who have won business in the UAE through Queensland Government assistance and advice include:
Cardno, which has beaten strong international competition to win a major engineering contract with the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority to privatise sewerage reticulation and treament assets worth more than A$1 million.
GRM International, which has signed a major contract with the Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency to survey soils.
ML Design, which specialises in architecture, master planning, urban and interior design has opened an office in Abu Dhabi.
Saudi Arabia is already Australia's largest market in the Middle East and the potential for Queensland companies is significant.
Construction and infrastructure in the capital of Riyadh alone is worth billions of dollars.
In Saudi Arabia, the Premier met with the Governor and senior member of the Royal Family, and the Minister of Commerce and Industry. In Abu Dhabi the Premier also met with a senior member of the ruling family. These meetings not only cemented strong relationships, but may also lead to increased trade and investment activities.
Queensland has become the first Australian state or territory to do this in Saudi Arabia, and the first in the city of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE has one of the highest per capita incomes in the Middle East and its rapid growth is driving demand for imported goods and services. Along with a building and construction boom, there is rising demand for expertise in areas such as engineering and financial services, tourism, education and training, as well as information and communications technology.
Mr Ross McDonald, representing the Robert Bird Group, a leading Queensland engineering firm, was one of the mission's business delegates to Abu Dhabi. "Being able to meet local people and consultants, including State Development representatives, was very useful," said Mr McDonald.
Other Queensland companies who have won business in the UAE through Queensland Government assistance and advice include:
Cardno, which has beaten strong international competition to win a major engineering contract with the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority to privatise sewerage reticulation and treament assets worth more than A$1 million.
GRM International, which has signed a major contract with the Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency to survey soils.
ML Design, which specialises in architecture, master planning, urban and interior design has opened an office in Abu Dhabi.
Saudi Arabia is already Australia's largest market in the Middle East and the potential for Queensland companies is significant.
Construction and infrastructure in the capital of Riyadh alone is worth billions of dollars.
In Saudi Arabia, the Premier met with the Governor and senior member of the Royal Family, and the Minister of Commerce and Industry. In Abu Dhabi the Premier also met with a senior member of the ruling family. These meetings not only cemented strong relationships, but may also lead to increased trade and investment activities.
