Following their success at the recent Big 5 trade exhibition last November where $6 million worth of deals were signed, leading Welsh companies in the construction industry returned to the UAE in March this year for a specially scheduled trade mission organised by International Business Wales (IBW).

“Welsh firms are proving they are well-equipped to provide the innovative solutions that the rapidly developing construction sector in the Gulf demands. Participating companies on this trade mission have succeeded in securing orders worth in excess of $15 million due to the demand for Welsh technology and expertise in construction,” says Lee Jennings, vice president (Middle East) of IBW. 
“Since opening our office in Dubai in 2004, exports from Wales have increased by over 100 per cent. In 2003 Welsh exports to the Middle East totalled $264 million compared to $680 million in 2006. The UAE continues to be Wales’ largest market with exports rising from $72 million in 2003 to $320 million in 2006 - an impressive 400 per cent.”
During the trade mission held in March (9 to 16) that covered Dubai and Doha (Qatar), Welsh representatives met leading companies, including potential and existing customers to present the latest product developments from one of the fastest growing economic zones in the UK. The three-day visit to Dubai  began with a business to business clinic, where local companies had one-to-one sessions and gained valuable insights on industry-leading technologies and services that will enhance their own enterprises in the region.
During the trade mission, PPM Technology promoted its innovate product that identifies gases in buildings and links to solutions that prevent ‘sick building syndrome while Tonik Water Services provided a solution to municipalities that will reduce overheads and the use of water for landscaping and irrigation.
There were a host of other participating Welsh companies including Conren, which specialises in a wide range of surfacing solutions for the construction industry; Contact Attachments, which provides forklift truck attachments; Equipment Supply Services (equipment, technical solutions and consultation services for the recycling industries); Harries Automation (LV switchgear for large commercial and industrial environments); Lyte Industries (aluminium and glass-fibre ladders, stepladders and towers); MCW Group, an IT and communications company; Natural Welsh Stone (supplier of decorative Welsh Blue Pennant sandstone); Orangebox (a designer and manufacturer of work environment furniture); Pop up Products (aluminium access equipment); R-Tech Services (a metallurgical testing and consultancy business);  Toplis Project Management (project management and chartered quantity surveying services); and U-Power International Holdings (electrical bus bar and distribution products).
IBW is the Welsh Assembly Government’s international trade and investment arm. It forms part of the Department of Innovation, Enterprise and Networks and acts as the driving force in establishing alliances between companies in Wales and their counterparts overseas, whilst actively seeking out inward investment opportunities for client companies looking to Europe and the UK as a preferred international business location.
Export Assist is a £12.7 million ($25.3 million) IBW programme, aimed at small to medium-sized enterprises based in the Objective 1 areas of Wales who are either first-time exporters or looking to develop new international markets. It is supported by over £6 million of European Objective 1 funds, administered by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) part of the Welsh Assembly Government. This programme will run from October 2005 until June 2008. Since its launch, over 1,200 companies were registered to the programme, generated over £140 million worth of overseas business, created over 100 new exporters, and took 350 companies on 42 overseas trade events
The programme is made of a number of core elements that includes:
A team of 15 highly experienced export development counsellors (EDCs) recruited from the private sector, each with hands on experience of international trade. Based in the Objective 1 local authority areas, the EDCs provide local support for companies to develop their international trade capabilities;
The support provided by the EDCs is supplemented by the skills and expertise of a team of specialist consultants, each having an enviable track record of achievement in the international trading environment. These provide a business-to-business support tailored to the companies needs;
In addition to the business-to-business support, there is a programme of international trade workshops, focusing on a range of international trade issues. These workshops bring companies together to share their experiences of developing their business in overseas markets.
The overseas events programme, which can assist companies to meet potential or existing customers, face-to-face.
The inward missions programme brings in overseas buyers to meet with Welsh SMEs.