UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE) AND UNITED KINGDOM (UK) TRADE MISSION

Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope MLA, led a Trade Mission of nine Canberra businesses to the UAE and the UK between 17 and 30 October 2009.

Centering around Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE and London in the UK, both markets are of particular interest to ACT businesses due to their strong focus on services and both are major entry‑points for multiplier markets in the EU and Middle East.

Highlights of the UAE component included the GITEX IT and electronics trade show, the Middle East’s largest and most influential ICT trade event, at which Canberra’s Recruitment Systems was able to successfully generate leads enabling them to negotiate agreements in three new markets—Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait.

The Trade Mission also visited Masdar City, a planned city within Abu Dhabi built to rely entirely on solar energy and other renewable energy sources with a sustainable, zero‑carbon, zero‑waste ecology.

‘Masdar City is a long-term legacy project for Abu Dhabi, with substantial construction and investment being undertaken now for the benefit of future generations,’ said Mr Stanhope. ‘Similarly, the ACT Government is working now to ensure that future generations of Canberrans live in a city that is modern, self‑sufficient and sustainable.’

The UK‑leg of the Mission benefitted from being able to inspect first‑hand the sustainable electric transport initiatives being developed in London, and meeting with the UK’s National Housing Federation to compare strategies for addressing affordable housing and initiatives to assist low- and moderate-income purchasers.

ACT businesses which took part in the Trade Mission were—

  • Academy of Interactive Entertainment;
  • CIC Group;
  • Canberra Institute of Technology;
  • eWay;
  • John Walker Crime Trends Analysis;
  • Poacher’s Pantry;
  • QuintessenceLabs;
  • Recruitment Systems; and
  • The Wise Academy.

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