Sheffield businesses explore Middle East growth opportunities

Over 30 businesses from the Sheffield City Region met representatives from the Middle East recently to find out more about the growth opportunities offered by international markets.

Global Business Network (GBN) representatives from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Kuwait landed in Sheffield recently for Meet the Buyer, an event hosted by the South Yorkshire International Trade Centre (SYITC).

At the meetup, the GBN members got the chance to discuss opportunities with 33 companies from across the city region.

The head of South Yorkshire International Trade Centre, Nick Patrick, said: “This event was a great opportunity for local businesses to meet with representatives from the Middle East to discuss their market needs and explore development potential within these high growth, huge opportunity markets.

“The content of the discussions was a general overview of doing business in each of the countries represented. However, following a networking lunch with event sponsor Emirates Airlines, most delegates booked one-to-one meetings with the overseas visitors to discuss their specific interests.”

He added: “The presentations were also followed by a panel discussion on the subject of Brexit and the feeling of business relations with the UK following our exit from the EU.”

Speaking further, Nick said he believes the mood in the Middle East on UK business is “very positive”.

He continued: “As no specific agreements are in place at the moment, there will in fact be no change to the status of UK companies doing business in the Middle East and in time we should be able to agree a trade agreement which will be favourable for the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council region.”

Launched by the British Chamber of Commerce, the GBN initiative is looking to help UK companies from all sectors boost international trade.