With exports from Wales to the Gulf continuing to flourish, a delegation of 16 Welsh companies is preparing to exhibit at this year’s Big 5.

“With the construction boom in the Gulf showing no signs of fading, Welsh exports to the region are booming,” says Lee Jennings, vice president (Middle East) of International Business Wales, the overseas trade and investment arm of the Welsh Assembly Government. “Exports to the Middle East have increased by more than 200 per cent since 2004, reaching $680 million last year, and the UAE is now Wales’ largest overseas market, with exports rising from $72 million in 2003 to $320 million in 2006.”
So why is Wales enjoying such links with the Gulf?
Traditionally, Wales has been renowned for heavy industries such as steel, slate, coal and stone. Whilst these are no longer the mainstay of its economy, certain products such as steel have established an important connection between Wales and the Middle East, says Jennings. This has been one of the reasons why much of the steel holding up the new Ski Dubai centre has come from Wales, he says.
“These days, however, the country is better known for its cutting-edge research and development, which has been driven through close links between industry and Welsh universities,” says Jennings. “This encompasses engineering, construction and design as well as bioscience, IT and environmental technologies such as water waste treatment and recycling systems.”
However, this varied expertise is not the only reason for Wales’ increasing success in the Gulf, says Jennings.
He continues: “Like the Middle East, Wales itself has undergone significant development in recent years and now represents one of the UK’s fastest growing economic zones. As a result, Welsh firms are experienced in working on major projects such as the Millennium Stadium, the Wales Millennium Centre and Cardiff Bay.
“This experience is easily transferable to the Gulf market; indeed Welsh companies are currently supplying products and services to some of the region’s most prominent developments, including the Palm Islands and Burj Dubai, which is set to be the tallest building in the world.
“The broad range of Welsh innovation will be reflected on the International Business Wales stand at this year’s Big 5 exhibition. Following an extremely successful show in 2006, when the firms attending the show with us secured deals worth $6 million, more Welsh companies than ever will be travelling to the Dubai this year,” says Jennings.
Some of these companies, such as IEA Environmental Limited, Toplis Project Management and Teddington Engineered Solutions, have been doing business in the Gulf for many years; others are new to the region and have not exhibited at Big 5 before. This means International Business Wales will be introducing a variety of new products, from security doors and electronic control systems to metallurgical testing equipment, to the market.
One of the companies exhibiting for the first time is Croma Shawley, a leader in the development and manufacture of CCTV equipment. The company already has a strong reputation in the Gulf security market and will be using Big 5 to launch its wireless CCTV solutions to the region’s construction industry after discovering a growing demand at InterSec in 2006.
“Wireless CCTV solutions are renowned for their robustness and reliability and are used by facilities managers and security agencies around the world,” says Jennings. “They provide a particularly innovative solution for the construction sector as they offer considerable flexibility and significant cost savings compared with traditional hard-wired infrastructures. What’s more, their versatility makes them ideal for construction sites; they can be installed in the early stages of the build and can be left as a permanent system or redeployed to another location with ease.”
Croma Shawley also manufactures CCTV system components, including standard and explosion-proof pan-and-tilt units, some of which will be incorporated into the company’s display at the show.
“Wales is looking for long-term business partnerships with the Middle East and, in addition to our stand at Big 5, we are organising a major business-to-business event to coincide with the show,” he says. “This will allow local companies to meet Welsh firms and gain an insight into the industry-leading technologies that Wales has to offer, as well as explore how the nation’s products and services could enhance their own enterprises.”
This follows a similar trade mission in March, when representatives from a number of Welsh companies presented their latest product developments to a range of potential customers. Firms participating in the mission included Contact Attachments, which manufactures a range of attachments for forklift trucks, including sweepers, waste handling equipment, drum handling equipment, load stabilisers and scoop attachments.
“Contact Attachments is now exhibiting at Big 5 with the aim of building upon its success during the mission. The company’s products, which reduce capital costs by eliminating the need to purchase separate pieces of equipment, have proved very popular in Jordan and Qatar and it now hopes to develop a client base throughout the region.”
Jennings continues: “We believe the Middle East will continue to be a dynamic and strategic market for Wales. As the diverse range of companies exhibiting with International Business Wales at Big 5 demonstrates, the innovative nature of Welsh products will appeal to the construction industry across the region. Whatever the sector, the opportunities to benefit from Welsh expertise and creativity are there for the taking.”
International Business Wales assists Welsh companies in achieving an understanding of international markets and developing trading relationships.
Since opening its Middle East office in Dubai in March 2004, it has helped more than 300 Welsh companies to do business in the region, Jennings concludes.
International Business Wales will be exhibiting at Stand 3E121.