A high-profile executive team headed by chairman Sir Anthony Bamford recently completed a fact-finding mission to three key Middle East territories where JCB's business is expanding.

Sir Anthony, accompanied by chief executive John Patterson, managing director of sales Francoise Rausch and international sales director Keith Bastock, visited the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia in February.

The team toured dealer premises in each of the territories and were given a presentation on current and future business prospects.

In Oman, the red carpet was rolled out - literally - when the delegation arrived at Muscat Overseas, the country's dealer. Owner Shaikh Salim - a cousin of the Sultan of Oman - greeted the JCB team before introducing them to his employees.

There was also an opportunity to meet with customers during the visit.

Bastock says: "JCB is achieving increasing levels of business in the Middle East and its importance to us is growing. The visit was an opportunity to see first-hand how the success is being achieved and how the dealers plan to sustain it.

"It was particularly interesting to meet our customers in the Middle East and receive some valuable feedback."

JCB's business in the Gulf region has increased by 13 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared to 2001.

The biggest improvement has been seen in Saudi Arabia, where 172 per cent more machines were sold between January and March this year compared to the same period last year. That was as a result of five open days staged in the country, which were attended by more than 500 customers, says Bastock.