Oil & Gas Trade Mission to Kuwait & Qatar
19 - 28 January 2009

The Energy Industries Council is organising an Oil & Gas Trade Mission to Kuwait & Qatar which is sponsored by Qatar Airways and fully supported by UKTI through the British Embassies in Kuwait and Qatar.

The mission allows companies new to Kuwait to assess first hand the potential business opportunities, find out more about Kuwait's Oil & Gas industries and for established companies, an opportunity to strengthen existing and establish new business relationships.

Terry Willis, Managing Director of the EIC's Middle East Office is leading the delegation and commented: "Despite the current economic difficulties, business levels in the energy sector, especially in the Middle East, continue to remain buoyant. Having already arranged a similar delegation to Saudi Arabia and the UAE in 2008, it was important that we provided the opportunity for our members to explore another two important markets in the Middle East as soon as possible"

"Trade missions are an ideal platform both for companies new to market as well as those who are looking to enhance their contact base through numerous high level meetings that take place" added Willis.

The trade mission has also received the full support of the Commercial Section of the British Embassy. Duncan Hoyland, Head of Trade & Investment recently commented: "The links between the UK and Kuwait are very strong. Many Kuwaitis are educated in the UK and have strong business links. British companies remain in many cases the preferred suppliers of goods and services due to quality and the ability to get the job done"

The mission is led by (EIC) The Energy Industries Council, the largest trade association in the UK for suppliers of capital equipment and services to the energy industries worldwide. The EIC has offices in London, Aberdeen, Gateshead, Houston, Singapore, Dubai and Brazil.

Members range from engineering contractors to manufacturers and suppliers involved in a range of activities in the Oil, Gas and Petrochemical and Chemical Industries; Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution; Nuclear Waste Treatment and Storage; Environmental Protection; Coal Processing; Water, Waste Water and Sewage Processing.

The EIC acts as a worldwide focal point for help in locating UK products and Services. A members capability register ensures that enquiries are accurately targeted and the EIC produces a UK directory which lists over 2000 companies and their products and services. It is available through the website at www.the-eic.com.

The key objectives of the Trade Mission are as follows:

• To understand the dynamics of the oil & gas industry of Kuwait & Qatar
• Gain further understanding of the potential business opportunities relating to Kuwait and Qatar's oil & gas industry
• To foster and strengthen relationships between operators, contractors, and suppliers operating in Kuwait and Qatar
• To meet local companies operating in Kuwait and Qatar in order to gain an understanding of the local business culture and possibly seek business tie ups
• To seek out specific project opportunities and advice on prequalification procedures
• and to strengthen existing and establish new business relationships between the United Kindgom, Kuwait and Qatar

Further information about the mission can be obtained from the following:

Terry Willis, Managing Director, EIC Middle East Branch, Dubai
Tel: (+971) 4 299 3945
Email: terry@eicme-dubai.ae or terry@eic-uk.com

Duncan Hoyland, Head of Trade & Investment, British Embassy, Kuwait
Direct Tel: (+965) 2259 4362
Email: duncan.hoyland@fco.gov.uk

and/or

Josephine Muhyeddeen, Trade & Investment Officer, British Embassy, Kuwait
Direct Tel: (+965) 2259 4363
Email: josephine.muhyeddeen@fco.gov.uk

Full list of EIC delegates (Word doc, 28 KB, New window).