Irish Arab Journal

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IntervIew wIth the SaudI arabIan ambaSSador aldrISS // emIrateS Sky cargo // joe geoghegan, new aIcc chaIrman //

wakeboardIng // bord bIa on gulFood // kInara Food //newS // book revIew and more

Algeria

Bahrain

Djibouti

Egypt

Iraq

Jordan

Kuwait

Lebanon

LibyaMauritania Morocco

Oman Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Somalia

Sudan Syria

Tunisia

U.A. E.

Yemen

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In This Issue

The Arab Irish Journal | 1

WELCOME

Welcome to the Spring 2013 Edition of “The Arab Irish Journal”. The Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce continues with its excellent work in promoting trade

between Ireland and its member countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with the publication of its commissioned economic report, “The Arab World, Long Term Economic Prospects and Opportunities for Ireland”. Anyone with aspirations of entering or expanding into this every growing market needs to take the time to ingest and digest this report. The full text is available on the Chamber’s website at www.aicc.ie . Once you have read this report, and you feel you may have a product or service to offer to this market, please feel free to contact the Chamber and they will guide you in the right direction, as will Enterprise Ireland, or the relevant countries Embassy or Consular.

Again thank you sincerely to all our contributors. A special thank to His Excellency Mr. Abdulaziz Abdulrahman Aldriss, resident Ambassador for the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia for his insightful interview. His Excellency clearly demonstrates in his interview his appreciation for all things Irish and enunciates the fact that opportunities abound for Irish Companies in his home country and here in Ireland (Education). He and his staff are most willing to assist in whatever way, shape or form that they can.

Congratulations to Mr. Joe Geoghegan on his recent appointment as chairperson of the AICC. Mr. Geoghegan’s work to date and as one of the founding directors of the Chamber over 25 years, combined with his vast experience in the commercial world, particularly in these markets, augers well for the continued success of the Chamber.

The feedback to date to this publication has far exceeded our expectation. Please continue expressing your views - we need and appreciate constructive criticism. The reaction to the digital versions of the first two editions on our website has been phenomenal with a total of over 50,000 hits to date. Our “Linked in” profile was in the top 1% of visited profiles over the past year, according to “Linked in” marketing department. It has acted as a hub for contact and communication which we are happy to accommodate. Because of data protection we are not in a position to allow total access as some people would wish. However, it does open the door for those who wish to engage. We hope that our advertisers are seeing the benefits of their investment in us to date, and thank them for their continued support.

Thank you to the Chamber and Mr. Alexander Fitzgerald for their Editorial contribution and proof-reading skills in this issue. Mr. Fitzgerald’s years of experience in the publishing industry is an invaluable asset and much appreciated.

Finally, we take this opportunity to thank Mr Louis Maguire Director of the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce for his 14 years of service to the Chamber as Chairman. The blossoming relationship between Ireland and our Arab brothers is thanks to Louis and his pioneering spirit. He has been active in the promotion of trade and commerce in this arena since the 1960’s.

Hope you enjoy and get some benefit from this publication. See you in the summer with our next issue and keep the comments and suggestions flowing.

[email protected]

Publisher Abbeyville Communications and Media Limited

The Arab-Irish JournalSuite 127 Grange Hill, Baldoyle Ind Park,

Baldoyle, Dublin 13, IrelandTel: +353 (0) 1 806 3000Fax: +353 (0) 1 806 3001

Int: +353 1 8063000Email: [email protected]: www.arabirishjournal.com

ie.linkedin.com/pub/arab-irish-journal

Managing DirectorMichael O’Driscoll

[email protected]

Sales & Marketing DirectorDermot Hogan

[email protected]

JournalistLynne Nolan

Business Development Manager P. Quinn

PhotographerPaul Byrne

[email protected] - 085 826 6339

Member Firm

Legal AdvisorPeppe Santoro

www.venturelaw.ie

Graphic DesignRob Lewis www.minx.ie

Web DesignEric Hewsonwww.his.ie

PrintingColourman

Distributionwww.lettershop.ie

AICC60 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Tel: + 353 (0)1 662 4451Fax:+ 353 (0)1 662 4729

Email: [email protected]: www.aicc.ie

Ahmad Younis Secretary-General Chief Executive OfficerJoe Geoghegan ChairmanEvelyn Harrington DirectorCarol Joyce Office Assistant

Dima Shannan Office AssistantRafal Sabir Head Of Translations

Alexander Fitzgerald Editorial Consultant

CONNECTING THE CONNECTED IN IRELAND AND THE ARAB STATES


Disclaimer: All rights reserved. The opinions and views expressed in this publication are not neccessarily those of Abbeyville Communications And Media Limited, The Arab Irish Journal or the Joint Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce. Readers are requested to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate For the readers particular circumstances. While every effort is taken to ensure accuracy of the information contained in this Publication the Publisher Abbeyville Communications And Media Limited or the joint Arab Irish Chamber of commerce are not liable for any errors and/or omissions contained in this publication.

THE OFFICIAL PuBLICATIOn OF THE AICC

ISSn 2009-499x

In This Issue

2 | The Arab Irish Journal

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In This Issue


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Contents

6 AICCAddress from Mr. Ahmad R. Younis Secretary General of the AICC

8 AICCJoe Geoghegan Chairman of AICC with an overview of The Arab World (Long Term Economic Prospects and Opportunities for Ireland)

12 Saudi Arabian Ambassador An interview with HE Ambassador Aldriss

Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Ireland

18 The Inauguration of The Irish Saudi Arabia Business Council

With Chairman Joe Lynch

24 News

26 Aer Rianta

Aer Rianta International 20 Years in The Middle East with CEO Philip Eckles

30 Air Cargo Emirates SkyCargo Irish Operations with

Michael Meagher, Country Manager

34 Equine Industry Ireland’s Equine Industry moving at a fast

pace in the MENA Region

42 Shopping in Ireland

50 Exquisite Halal Dining in Dublin by Kinara Group

In This Issue


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In This Issue


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52 Islamic Finance with Tom Woods of KPMG

54 Horsemeat Debacle Dr Grainne Redmond looks at Ireland’s role in Food Traceability

60 Irish Village The Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters

63 Bord Bia Flying the Flag at Gulfood 2013

65 Turkish Airlines Now offering 31 Destinations in The Middle East and 30 in Africa

67 Enterprise Ireland Financial Service Opportunities in Middle East and Africa with Enterprise Ireland

68 A Global Sport Wakeboarding, from Ireland to the Gulf with David O’Caoimh

70 IDA Ireland’s success in attracting cutting edge Foreign Direct Investment to Ireland continues apace

72 Book Review Drogheda- Its place in Irish History by Ted

Greene

74 MENA Arab Countries

96 Dates For Your Diary

AICC

6 | The Arab Irish Journal The Arab Irish Journal | 7

The response from readers to the Journal has been overwhelmingly positive, which is extremely pleasing. Going forward, our intention is to maintain and build on the high standard set so far.

Much has happened since the last issue, which I would like to draw your attention to.

On behalf of the Chamber, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Louis Maguire, one of the founding members of the AICC, who stepped down as Chairman on 31 March 2013 after 14 years’ service. Our new Chairman, Joe Geoghegan, who is one of the founding directors and a previous Treasurer, will be well-known to many of you. We are delighted to welcome him to the position and look forward to a mutually successful term.

We are particularly excited about the recent publication of “The Arab World – Long Term Prospects and Opportunities for Ireland”, an in-depth economic report that was commissioned by the AICC and compiled

by the economic consultants, DKM. The first of its kind, this publication identifies the various opportunities for greater economic co-operation between Ireland and the 21 Arab nations, and has been welcomed by several state bodies, including Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia, as well as host of local Irish businesses.

The report was officially launched on 21 February 2013 at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin 2, where the guest speakers included Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, and Joe Costello, Minister of State at the Dept. of Foreign Affairs & Trade

Of equal note was the launch on 9 April 2013 of the Ireland Saudi Arabia Business Council (ISABC). This private sector body has been set up to facilitate access for Irish companies in the business world of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and also to help them appreciate better the business culture of the Saudi people and their way of life. We wish

A very warm welcome to the spring issue of the Arab Irish Journal

The Arab Irish Chamber Of Commerce Mr. Ahmad R. Younis

AICC


Ahmad Younis

them the best of luck and look forward to a mutually successful working relationship.

With trade figures recently released, it is extremely heartening to see that export figures to the 19 Arab countries from 2011-2012 are up by an impressive 14 per cent at €1.7 billion, while imports have increased from €226 million to €986 million. We hope to build on this figure as Irish companies continue to avail of the exceptional opportunities in the Arab world.

Finally, on behalf of the AICC, I would like extend our sincere thanks to His Excellency,

Mr Abdulaziz A. Aldriss, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who generously gave us time for an interview, which can be read on page 12.

We return again in the summer with the fourth edition of the Arab Irish Journal. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the current edition and find it both interesting and informative.

Best wishes,Ahmad R. YounisSecretary General

AICC


The Arab markets are one of the most important trading blocks for Ireland outside of Europe and North America, and our exports to the region have the potential to treble over the next two decades to reach more than €9 billion and thereby support over 20,000 jobs, according to a major new economic report published recently by the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce. The report, “The Arab World – Long Term Prospects and Opportunities for Ireland”, was compiled for the Chamber by the economic consultants DKM, who were commissioned to do the research in late 2012.

A number of key factors point towards this optimistic assessment of the potential:• Population growth: The population of the Arab

countries will grow from 347 million at present to 621 million by 2050 - twice the world average rate of growth. In 2050, meanwhile, there will be 120 million more consumers in the Arab markets than in the EU. This growth will cause increased demand for a wide variety of products and services in the decades ahead.

• Propensity to import: The Arab markets have a high propensity to import much of the good and services they need to meet their domestic requirements. This is due mainly to geographic and climatic factors, as well as their current level of industrial development.

• Ireland can supply and compete: Many Irish companies are already trading successfully in the Arab markets and we are very well positioned

to supply this future growing demand in a wide variety of sectors where we have a proven competitive advantage. The key sectors involved are Agrifood, Medical/Pharmaceuticals, ICT, Education and Training, Construction-related products and services, Tourism, Financial Services, and Renewable Energy technologies.

• The markets will have the funding: Approximately 50 per cent of the world’s known reserves of oil, and 28 per cent of natural gas, are located in the Arab world. It is estimated that at current production levels and prices, exports of these commodities will generate revenues of between $30 and $40 trillion between now and 2035. These reserves will last for over 50 years for most countries and for more than 100 years for some of the biggest producers. The required funding for growth and development is therefore assured.

• Major investment programmes: Current investment plans for the Arab countries show that over $4 trillion is already allocated to large infrastructural development programmes for the period to 2017. These cover such areas as education, health, housing, power generation and transmission, renewable energy, telecommunications, public administration, roads, railways, airports and ports. These projects offer a vast array of opportunities for Irish suppliers of services and goods for these sectors. Such major development programmes will continue on an even larger scale in the decades ahead.

The Arab Markets Mr Joe Geoghegan Chairman of AICC

Big Opportunities for Ireland

AICC


There are compelling reasons why Irish exporters should look seriously at the many areas of future opportunity in the Arab markets:• We are there already: There are already well-

established trading relationships between Irish suppliers and their trading partners in the Arab markets. In many cases these connections go back over several decades of successful business together. The continuous growth in trade in recent decades confirms beyond doubt that Irish suppliers can compete successfully and grow market share consistently in the Arab markets.

• The Arab markets are not far away: Morocco is less than a four-hour flight from Dublin and the Gulf States, which are served with several flights daily, can be reached in just over seven hours. There are many other flight options offering very competitive fares to all of the Arab markets. Shipping and air freight connections are equally well served. Furthermore, the time difference between Ireland and any of the Arab markets is never more than three hours.

• We understand each other: It is a common experience that Irish and Arab business people understand each other and get on well at a personal level. This results in a level of trust and friendship that leads to successful long-term business relationships. In addition, Ireland has a positive image in the Arab countries, which tends to ensure a favourable disposition towards Irish suppliers. In most Arab countries English is the second language spoken.

• These markets offer sustainable long-term opportunities: Exporters can develop long-term plans for the key Arab markets confident in the knowledge that they represent solid opportunities for sustainable ongoing business engagement similar to Europe or North America.

The report makes a number of recommendations about actions and activities which should be considered in response to these significant opportunities:• The private sector should recognise and respond

to these opportunities: Exporters already doing business in the region should deepen their involvement there, while aspiring new entrants to the market should develop well-researched business plans with a long-term perspective and a professional approach.

• The government should continue to assist and support all exporters: This should involve a continuing programme of high-level official visits to the key markets as well as a range of appropriate government-to-government contacts and structured arrangements to foster closer trade and commercial linkages.

• “Brand Ireland” should be fostered and developed: This activity should be co-ordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

and should involve all private sector companies and organisations as well as the semi-state commercial agencies, notably Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, the IDA and Tourism Ireland.

• More resources should be allocated to the region by the semi-state agencies when feasible: On-the-ground representation is essential for success in the region and this maxim applies equally to state agencies and to private sector companies.

Joe Geoghegan AICC Chairman, Minister Richard Bruton TD and Ahmad Younis CEO AICC.


Agrigear


Founded in 1980 by Fred Clarke, Agrigear is a tyre and wheel specialist company located in County Cavan in Ireland. With over 30 years’ experience, this progressive company has become a major player in the Irish wheel industry, particularly in the agricultural, industrial and construction sectors.

Agrigear offers a unique wheel design and manufacturing service where off-road wheels are manufactured to a customer’s requirements. The company also provides Original Equipment Manufacturers with ideal wheel configurations for their machines. Tractor, loader, earthmover and implement wheels can be custom-made to suit a customer’s machine to improve its functionality and performance; these wheels are available with a powder-coated paint finish in a wide variety of colours. Mr Fred Clarke, Managing Director of Agrigear

Manufacturing & Modification Services At Agrigear

AICC


Forecast Total Investment in AICC Countries, 2012-2017

USD Billion USD/capita

Algeria 528 14,900

Bahrain 45 36,000

Djibouti 3 3,700

Egypt 341 4,200

Iraq 368 11,500

Jordan 51 8,400

Kuwait 258 94,300

Lebanon 83 19,500

Libya 111 17,500

Mauritania 9 2,500

Morocco 258 8,100

Oman 159 57,200

Qatar 354 201,600

Saudi Arabia 1,014 36,900

Somalia n/a n/a

Sudan 65 1,500

Syria n/a n/a

Tunisia 82 7,800

UAE 574 76,400

Yemen 35 1,500

• n/a .. not available.• Source: IMF, except Iraq: Middle East Economic Digest, estimated current and

planned infrastructure projects. • AICC Countries Proved Oil and Gas Reserves as % of Global Reserves.

More resources on the ground will lead to more business over time.

• Foster and support the local Irish Business Networks in the region: These new organisations of Irish professionals living and working in the region offer an additional, and dynamic, resource to support the exporting effort. Their activities and potential should be fostered and encouraged, and effective ways should be created to derive maximum benefit from their presence and their desire to contribute.

• Harness the power of graduates from Irish colleges: Many Arab graduates from Irish colleges are now in senior positions in a wide range of sectors, public and private, across the Arab world. For the most part, they retain positive feelings of goodwill towards Ireland and are willing to offer guidance and advice to exporters seeking to do business in the region. This significant resource should be organised and encouraged to play an active and constructive role.

• Make it easier to get visas to visit Ireland: The difficulties often experienced by Arab nationals applying for an Irish visa are well known and can be a serious impediment to the successful conduct of business. While some improvements have been made recently by the Irish government, there is an urgent need to do more to remove this impediment which places Ireland at a disadvantage against its competitor countries.

In the coming months the AICC plans to engage with the various stakeholders involved in Arab-Irish trade and commerce to see how the findings and recommendations in the report can be acted upon to optimum effect, and how the Chamber can support their efforts.

H.E. Moroccan Ambassador Kahles, H.E. Saudi Arabian Ambassador Aldriss and H.E. The UAE Ambassador Lootah at the AICC Economic Report Launch in Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel.

H.E. Ambassador Aldriss


Friendly, interesting, and informative, Ambassador Aldriss proves knowledgeable on his country, boasting an impressive reserve of facts and figures that equip him to field almost any question with ease. “It was an honor to be appointed as first resident ambassador of my country to Ireland. I am glad that our two countries enjoy friendly political relations, as this allows me to dedicate more efforts into the promotion of the bilateral cooperation in the field of education, economy and trade.”

”Let me tell you a little about my country,” His Excellency proceeds, before drawing a surprisingly detailed map of Saudi Arabia and offering an insightful overview of The Kingdom that takes in everything from its history, geography, geology, religion, and economy.

A glimpse of Saudi ArabiaThe ambassador proceeds to explain how, in 1902, King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al Saud came to prominence in the history of contemporary Saudi Arabia as the founder of the modern Saudi state when he recaptured Riyadh and returned to it with members of his family and loyal supporters who had joined him. From the beginning, King Abdulaziz realised the importance of restoring national unity, and so made tremendous efforts in this regard. Through the

unification of Saudi Arabia, the King transformed the country into a strong and influential nation – not only in the Gulf region, but also throughout the Arab world. Since then Saudi Arabia has joined many international organizations and conventions. It was one of the first countries to sign the Charter of the United Nations in 1945. It also contributed to the establishment of several global organizations aimed at security, stability, and justice.

In line of the founder’s vision, Saudi Arabia continues to progress under the leadership of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz. Since becoming leader in 2005, King Abdullah has presided over major re-structuring and crucial reform programmes in the country. The development and expansion of universities, schools, hospitals, roads, and housing, along with major infrastructure development programmes, such as the National Industrial Strategy of Saudi Arabia 2020, have been identified as just some of the key areas of focus.

There has been further encouragement towards women to take a more active role in both public and private spheres of life. The Shura Council is comprised of a Speaker and one hundred and fifty members. Of this number approximately 30% are female. Many of the Shura’s members have been recognised internationally for their knowledge and expertise in a wide variety of specialist fields

Since being appointed Ambassador of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Abdulaziz A. Aldriss has found a welcoming home in Ireland. In an exclusive interview with The Arab-Irish Journal, he talks about his country, its strong links with Ireland, and the various opportunities Saudi Arabia offers for Irish businesses.

Home from Home Interview, H.E. Ambassador Aldriss (Saudia Arabia)



including medicine, physics, and engineering. In terms of employment, women now play an active role in teaching, medicine, social work, and broadcasting.

In Our Culture Heritage AspirationAlthough Arabic is the national and official language of Saudi Arabia, English is widely spoken. Most medical institutes, airlines, hotels, shops, and restaurants employ multi-lingual staff. English is also widely used in business transactions in Saudi Arabia.

Most significantly, Saudi Arabia occupies a special place in the Islamic world. It is the home of Makkah and Medina. The former being the birth place of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the location of Ka’abah. The latter being his burial place. The ambassador states that the area attracts millions of Muslims from around the world who wish to perform Hajj or Umra (pilgrimages).

Since its establishment, Saudi Arabia has successfully preserved and strengthened its cultural heritage while simultaneously undergoing spectacular modernisation. This achievement is testimony to the resilience of Saudi culture and the nation’s determination to cherish and protect it.

Today in modern Saudi society, amid the bustle of life in the 21st century, contemporary Saudi writers look to the past for inspiration and innovation. The Kingdom organizes annually one of the most important cultural festivals in the Arab world, the National Festival of Heritage and Culture in al-Janadriyah, Riyadh. The festival has become a crossroads where poetry, intellect, culture, art, theatre, heritage, and history meet and is attended by many recognized international figures in the field of the arts and culture.

The country also possesses a rich reserve of archaeological treasures - including the world renown Al Hijr site (Mada’in Saleh). This site was the first ever archeological site in Saudi Arabia to join the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Dating back to the Nabataeans Civilization, the important archaeological site contains important information about the extinct Thamud and Lehvan Tribes as well as the Nabataean Kingdom. Inscriptions engraved on rocks, the facades of graves, and mountains reveal much about a civilization where architecture and sculpture once flourished.

Diverse GeographySaudi Arabia is often perceived simply to possess a dry and hot climate. Despite the fact that the Saudi Arabia has a Sahara climate with tropical effects, temperatures vary from cold in the winter months to hot in the summer. Unlike Ireland, sunny blue skies prevail throughout the year and rainfall is infrequent.

The climate of Saudi Arabia also varies from one province to another. The average temperature

ranges between 19°C and 28°C because of the high elevation in cities such as Abha, Albha and Kaamis Mushait. Asir region in the southwest contains the country’s highest peaks, which rise to almost 3,000 metres above sea level at Jebel Sawdah near Abha. Although Tabouk in the northwest has an average temperature of 22°C, the nearby scenic Mount Allouz is sometimes covered in a blanket of snow during the winter season.

The climate in Saudi Arabia is most appealing in the period between November (average 23° C/73.4° F) through to March (average 22° C/71.6° F). The thermometer starts to climb in April, and continues to climb steadily to reach Saudi’s hottest month in August at an average temperature of 44.9° C/112.8° F. Humidity can be high in the summer months in cities near the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf.

Fuel for Growth Ambassdor Aldriss explains that Saudi Arabia’s location and geology has provided its people with abundant natural resources. To the west of the country lie mountains formed of igneous rocks

An Taoiseach Mr. Enda Kenny T.D. and H.E. Ambassador Aldriss

Snow in Tabuk



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such as granite, basalt, and metamorphic rocks rich in minerals, while the eastern region, situated on sedimentary rock layers, boasts one of the world’s richest reserves of oil. The most important and lucrative natural resources include petroleum, natural gas and phosphate.

Oil provides a sizable contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP), government revenues, balance of payments, and exports. The ambassador explains that “The petrochemical industry is the second cornerstone of the Saudi Arabian economy – it’s the largest in the world and supplies America, Asia, and the Indian subcontinent”.

However, oil is not the country’s only abundant fuel supply. The Kingdom possesses the fourth largest reserve of natural gas in the world. Produced by Saudi ARAMCO, gas production facilities such as the Karan Gas field successfully reached its full production capacity of 1.8 billion cubic feet per day bcfd (‘billions of cubic feet per day’). The Wasit Gas Project, with an estimated production capacity of 2.5 bcfd, is scheduled to commence in mid-2014.

The third pillar of the economy is provided by the huge deposits of phosphate which are found in the north of the country. In 1997 the Saudi Arabian Mining Company ‘Ma’aden’ was established by Royal Decree to facilitate the development of Saudi Arabia’s mineral resources, Ma’aden Phosphate Company (MPC) exploits the phosphate deposit at Al Jalamid in the North of Saudi Arabia and utilizes local natural gas and sulphur resources to manufacture Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) at processing facilities at Ras Al Khair on the Arabian Gulf coast. Substantial investment has been made in industrial infrastructure at Al Jalamid including a power plant, water production, treatment and distribution facilities, roads and telecommunications, all of which support the mining operations. The phosphate concentrate is transported by rail from Al Jalamid to Ras Al Khair for processing. Both these mega projects will expand the Kingdom’s gas output by approximately 40 per cent.

The Saudi Arabian Economy & Irish Opportunities Recognized by many as the powerhouse of the Middle East, Saudi Arabia provides one of the most lucrative markets in the world for strategic

investment. Foreign investment, labour, and skill are actively encouraged by the Kingdom. Ambassador Aldriss points to factors such as political stability, a strong economy, a high standard of living, and a “peaceful and peace-loving” population when underlining Saudi Arabia’s strong appeal for Irish businesses seeking opportunities. He mentions that there are particularly attractive opportunities in industries and sectors such as oil and gas, metallic deposits, education, healthcare, construction, infrastructure, transportation, and communications.

Participation in Saudi’s developing tourist industry is also an option for investors. In 2000, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) was established to promote tourism in the Kingdom. Visitors are attracted to Saudi Arabia as a holiday destination due to the wealth of new and exciting sights and experiences the country has to offer.

The Kingdom is a member of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). The pre-investment assistance provided by SAGIA (Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority) and other government agencies includes helping foreign investors prepare feasibility studies for industrial projects. Generally speaking, investment in Saudi Arabia realizes high profit ratios for local, foreign, and shared projects, with low risk exposures, and a simple form of taxes and property registration fees. Figures in 2010 revealed that Irish exports to the Kingdom had reached €748 million.

Advice for Irish Businesses When asked if he could offer any advice to Irish nationals looking to work in Saudi Arabia or to do business with Saudi companies, Ambassador Aldriss highlights the “importance of business networking. But the Irish should have no problems – they are very well-equipped to deal with businesses in Saudi Arabia; they are always welcomed everywhere in the world”.

There are various examples of Irish business succeeding and thriving in Saudi Arabia. The mbassador mentions Almarai as one particularly notable success. Established in 1977 as a joint venture between the agricultural food sectors in

The Tombs at Al-Hijr Archaeological Site

Abha Heights



both Ireland and Saudi Arabia, Almarai is one of the largest integrated dairy foods company in the world. The increasingly strong links between Ireland and Saudi Arabia are an obvious source of pride and satisfaction to Ambassador Aldriss.

His Excellency mentions that “there have been significant developments in trading relations between Ireland and Saudi Arabia in recent years”. He further points out that ‘the relationship between the two countries has advanced greatly and is continuing to move in the right direction”. The ambassador also stated that it would be a pleasure to welcome Irish companies to exhibit at any of Saudi Arabia’s trade and educational exhibitions and conventions, as well as to attend economic forums.

Increasingly Strong Relations between Ireland and Saudi Arabia This bi-lateral relationship is flourishing in educational circles as well as in business. The Saudi government appreciates the value of education, allocating over 25 per cent of the total budget to education, including vocational training, while recently also spending around 13.17 billion U.S. dollars on primary education and research. It also recognizes the importance of the transnational transfer of knowledge and skills. This has lead to increasing numbers of Saudi students availing of education and training through the Irish system. This development was assisted in Autumn 2010 by a visit from the Ministry of Higher Education of Saudi Arabia to Ireland. Through the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding concerning third-level education between the two countries, the door was opened for approximately three thousand (at present) Saudi students to attend Higher Education Institutes in Ireland comparing to only five hundred Saudi students in 2009.

His Excellency reveals that “Ireland is becoming an education destination and there’s a very cosmopolitan mix of students here now. It is expected that when these highly educated Saudi students eventually return home they will contribute substantially to the country’s growing economy through the creation of new

opportunities and the transfer of ideas and knowledge”.

Cultural relations between the two countries have also been growing since the opening of the embassy in Dublin. This important event marked a watershed in Saudi-Irish relations and the success it has achieved to date will undoubtedly be enhanced by the recent establishment of The Saudi Arabia Cultural Bureau also in Dublin. The Embassy in Ireland, the ambassador states, continues to work to initiate new links and consolidate existing ones.

At Home in Ireland No stranger to living abroad – prior to assuming his post as ambassador to Ireland, he lived and worked in the United States and United Arab Emirates – Ambassador Aldriss and his family have found themselves at home in Dublin since he took up his ambassadorial post in Ireland.

He states that Saudi Arabia and Ireland share similar values with respect the importance of the family. The family occupies a central position in both cultures. He speaks with genuine warmth about the Irish people, highlighting their “friendly nature”. They also share a love of education and traveling and are both recognized for their hospitality.

The ambassador extends similar praise to the country itself, particularly rural Ireland by reflecting on how he “deeply was impressed by the inner peace and breathtaking scenery of the country.” Although based in Dublin, the ambassador has traversed the length and the breath of the country in order to learn more about Ireland and its people. The ambassador cites Newgrange, the beehive huts on the Dingle Peninsula, and the Cliffs of Moher in Clare as having made a particular impression on him, revealing a real interest in geography and heritage. Travelling around the country, both for business reasons and pleasure, the ambassador who does not let the weather dampen his spirit, finally adds that “even if it’s raining, the scenery and the landscape across Ireland is impressive”. The ambassador also expressed sincere appreciation to his friends around Ireland for their genuine hospitality and generosity.

The Holy City of MeccaHoly Mosque in Makkah

ISABC


Congratulations on the establishment of the Ireland Saudi Arabia Business Council (ISABC), Joseph. Can you tell us a little about the background to its founding?The origin is simply that I had got to know Ambassador Abdulaziz Aldriss [the first resident Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Ireland]. He suggested that I establish a joint business council between the two countries, and I agreed to take this on.

We set up a board that had its first meeting in January 2010 in the Embassy of Saudi Arabia. This was followed by the signing of an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC), which is the body in Saudi Arabia that oversees foreign business interests, in June 2012 in Riyadh: this established the Ireland-Saudi Arabia Joint Business Council between the two countries.

What happens next?The next stage is to have our first JBC (Joint Business Council) meeting. This consists of a two or three day series of meetings and events between a steering committee of Irish companies, who are firstly the board members of ISABC and a Steering committee of Saudi companies on the Saudi side of the JBC.

Having served as a diplomat in many countries since the early 1970s, Joseph Lynch, is back once again on home turf and as busy as ever. Having recently set up the Ireland Saudi Arabia Business Council (ISABC), the former Ambassador to Algeria talks to the Arab Irish Journal about the nascent body and its aims and ambitions.

Irish-Saudi Business Relations go from Strength to StrengthInterview: Joseph Lynch, ISABC

Mr Joe Lynch Chairman ISABC

The CSC has generously invited all Irish companies who are members of the ISABC to participate fully in the JBC meetings, and other Irish companies may do so to a lesser extent. The next meeting of the JBC is to be held in Dublin.

You have spoken about how the ISABC is a private sector body. Yes, it is composed of companies on our board – we have about 11-12 private sector companies. These were partly asked to join to correspond with the priority areas of Ireland’s business

ISABC


activities in the KSA, which would include such areas as education, construction, health, software, financial services, agriculture and energy.

While ISABC is a private sector body, we enjoy the approval of both governments and we work closely with both Embassies and also with Irish governmental organisations, particularly Enterprise Ireland, to all of whom we are most grateful for their support.

Why was it important that the ISABC be registered as a company?It was only when we got the company registered properly with the CRO, thanks to the unfailing assistance of Arthur Cox and Co. Solicitors, that we were able to open our business bank account with the Bank of Ireland in the past few weeks. That enabled us to start off our membership drive, which is now proceeding. Any Irish company that wants to do business in Saudi Arabia, or that is already doing business there, is welcome to join for a very modest fee.

What are the benefits of membership?The principal benefit of membership is the networking facility that is offered to Irish companies through thus being associated with the Council of Saudi Chambers, and being able to use the resources of the CSC, including its databases.

It’s about networking and increasing contacts for Irish companies and, therefore, facilitating the access of Irish companies to the Saudi market. But we shall also try to provide the same facility in Ireland for Saudi companies who wish to come into the Irish market and, of course, for Saudi investment in Ireland. The JBC will hopefully develop investment possibilities from the KSA into Ireland.

Why was there a need for the ISABC? Everybody knows that doing business in Saudi Arabia is quite difficult; the culture of Saudi Arabia is very different to Irish culture and companies have to acquire a sympathetic knowledge of these differences. For instance, when an Irish company wants to do business in Saudi, the normal procedure is to acquire a Saudi business partner. The Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) should be able to assist companies acquire a good partner.

The whole idea of the ISABC is to facilitate access for Irish companies in the business world of the KSA, and also to help them appreciate better the business culture of the Saudi people and their way of life.

Are you planning on having an official launch?The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia has very kindly agreed to host the inaugural ISABC reception in the Four Seasons Hotel in Ballsbridge on 9 April.

When will the first Joint Business Council (JBC) take place?The rules of the CSC means that they cannot sign an agreement with a governmental agency as they are a private sector body( though it should be added, with close links to the Ministry of Commerce). They have kindly invited ISABC to have our first JBC in Riyadh in mid-April 2013, much sooner than we had expected.

How can the Council benefit the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce?I would see the work of the AICC and the Council as being complementary. May I say first how encouraging Mr Louis Maguire has always been to us in our efforts in starting off, often citing in our discussions his own similar difficulties when he began the AICC over 20 years ago. Now, I know that his successor, Mr Joe Geoghegan, and Mr Ahmad Younis, the Secretary General, will be just as helpful and co-operative with us, because our aims are the same.

The AICC works with 21 Arab countries, including the KSA, while our remit is bi-lateral, so there is great scope there, given the experience of the AICC, for very good co-operation, and we look forward to working together.

Joe Lynch Chairman ISABC, HE Ambassador Aldriss Saudi Ambassador to Ireland and Ahmad Younis CEO AICC

Joe Lynch, H.E. Ambassador Aldriss, Minister Joe Costello T.D and Rory O’Donnell of Kentz.

Further details on the ISABC are available online at [email protected], [email protected]

The Arab Irish Journal News


DIGITAL MARKETING INSTITUTE MIDDLE EAST The rapid growth in online business activity and the increasing demand for businesses to increase their customer reach and online revenues has created a growing demand for suitably qualified personnel. DM3 Institute was created to support businesses in the Middle East region in their efforts to drive online revenues and customer engagement.

With offices in Dubai and Riyadh, DM3 Institute specialises in the delivery of social media and digital marketing training and certification programs that are designed to support economic and workforce development in the region by promoting digital marketing as a key strategic business tool.

In particular, DM3I delivers the internationally renowned Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing accredited by the Digital Marketing Institute in Ireland and mapped to the European Qualifications Framework. This is a practical and hands-on digital marketing course developed by leading digital marketing practitioners and delivered by practising digital marketing professionals, bringing a wealth of international and regional experience to our interactive classroom formats through the provision of best practice examples and case studies.

AIJ NewsLEGACY ALLIANCES HAVE OUTLIVED THEIR USEFULNESS SAYS ETIHAD AIRWAYS CEOLegacy airline alliances have outlived their usefulness, according to Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan.

Mr Hogan delivered a keynote speech at the International Aviation Club in Washington, D.C. this April.

Mr Hogan said Etihad Airways’ unique business model, which is a combination of organic growth, codeshares and minority equity investments, was proving very effective in building passenger numbers, revenue and profit for all its partners.

“The traditional airline alliances have evolved into slow-to-respond, bureaucratic organisations which struggle to deliver added value to their member airlines, many of which are no longer compatible with each other.

“If we look at the consolidation currently occurring throughout the airline industry, we are also seeing more fragmentation within the alliances. This is going to continue as members seek ways to operate profitably in a very competitive environment with high fuel costs and generally slower global economic growth.

“This month we will report our strongest ever first quarter results. Our codeshare and equity partners have made a major contribution to that financial success,” Mr Hogan said.

Etihad Airways owns 29 per cent of airberlin, 40 per cent of Air Seychelles, 9 per cent of Virgin Australia and just under three per cent of Aer Lingus. It has 42 code share relationships around the world.

The airline posted a profit of uS$42 million in 2012 and saw two of its equity partners – airberlin and Air Seychelles – return to profitability, meaning that all five airlines are now in the black.

Mr Hogan said that Etihad Airways’ equity alliance of minority shareholdings, enabled the airline to enter markets within local foreign investment limits and, therefore, without the complexities, approvals or expense attached to mergers or larger investments.

“It is easier, faster and far more cost effective to grow through one-on-one partnerships with established, respected carriers than it is to rely totally on our own resources, and to start from scratch in every market we serve.

“We have hand-picked like-minded partners with whom we can work collaboratively to build revenue across a broader network and reduce operating costs.

“We focus on our partners’ profitability as much as our own, because we are not dealing with competing interests. When the five CEOs sit down to make decisions, we have a shared commitment to make things happen,” he said.

Mr Hogan said that because Etihad Airways had skin in the game, it could go so much further than legacy alliances in thinking innovatively and building relationships that delivered ongoing value.

“An example of innovation is the way we are now working with our equity alliance partners to develop ‘centres of excellence’ in which operational and commercial expertise is pooled to deliver best practice across the group.

“Cooperation includes fleet and engine acquisition, maintenance, recruitment and training. This is real value-add for our equity alliance and I am confident it is the way forward,” Mr Hogan said.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer,

delivered the keynote speech at the International Aviation Club of

Washington, D.C.



Bennigan’s celebrates grand opening in the United Arab EmiratesBennigan’s recently celebrated a grand opening in the united Arab Emirates. Franchise partners Dynamic Hospitality opened their first Dubai location in January and plan to open two more Bennigan’s in the united Arab Emirates this year. One will be in the Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping mall, and is expected to open in the first half of 2013. The second will be in the Sahara Centre in Sharjah.

now approaching 100 units, Bennigan’s experienced extensive domestic and international expansion in 2012, ending the year with three openings in December alone. These included Clarksburg, Md., where the opening of Bennigan’s brought the first official casual dining restaurant to that town. Bennigan’s restaurants also opened in Jonesboro, Ark., and Fort Worth, Texas.

new and existing franchisees are benefitting from the chain’s legendary comeback, which began in May 2011 and has separated Bennigan’s from a sea of sameness. Through careful attention to menu optimisation and a streamlined new prototype, the brand has honoured its heritage while launching new initiatives that both rekindle emotional connections and affect a dramatic impact on restaurant sales and profits.

Bennigan’s Franchising Company plans to continue its growth momentum and has agreements to develop over 30 new restaurants in the next few years in new Jersey, Virginia, Texas, Arkansas, Minnesota, Florida, Tennessee and Michigan. International openings are slated for Dubai, Mexico, Panama, El Salvador, Cyprus and u.S. Army Base Camp Humphreys in the Republic of Korea.

About Bennigan’s Bennigan’s is a high-energy neighbourhood restaurant and tavern that is redefining casual dining. With chef-driven food, innovative drinks and warm, friendly Irish Hospitality, this legendary brand delivers memorable dining experiences to every guest, every meal, every day. Every member of the team “bleeds green” and demonstrates a 25/8 focus to support its franchise community. The company’s revolutionary comeback has introduced a new generation of Bennigan’s that reflects the brand’s history and pays respect to its rich heritage. A focus on reinvention, flexible prototypes, innovative food, legendary service and other sales-generating initiatives has resulted in explosive growth both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit www.bennigans.com.

Irish Qatari Business Council On the occasion of St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish Qatari Business Council in conjunction with the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar held a successful networking event on the evening of the 17 March 2013 at the Hilton hotel.

The evening was well attended by over 100 Irish and American business people together with a number of other nationalities who have a shared appreciation for St. Patrick and all things Irish. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Irish folklore, St. Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland and famously driving the snakes from her shores. It is almost certain, though unconfirmed, that he did not dye any rivers or beer green. Attendees were entertained by a compilation of traditional Irish music and a selection of savoury canápes and refreshments on the Safina Terrace.

The event provided an informal forum for Irish and American business people to network and exchange business cards. The evening was kindly sponsored by Ernst and Young, ASCO-BLP JV Consulting Engineers and Blackcat Engineering and Construction and raffle prizes included vouchers for the Hilton Hotel Doha and St. Regis Hotel. The Irish Qatari Business Council would like to extend warm thanks to our sponsors.

Going forward, it is hoped a similar networking event will be held next year.For more information on the role of the Irish Qatari Business Council and highlights from the evening, please log on to our website www.IQBC.org

Ireland Resumes Live Cattle Exports to LibyaAlmost 3,000 cattle left Ireland for Libya last February in the first live shipment of cattle to the country in 17 years.Libya banned imports of live cattle from the Eu in 1996, following the outbreak of BSE.

In 1995 Libya bought 81,420 cattle valued at more than €70 million from Ireland. Irish Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney welcomed the resumption of the trade.

ESBI


What solutions and services does ESB International (ESBI) currently offer?ESB International (ESBI) is a leading engineering, strategy and project management consultancy that has been serving the global electricity sector for close to 40 years. We work in partnership with our clients to plan, construct, operate and maintain state-of-the-art energy assets. ESBI is wholly owned by ESB, the Irish state-owned, vertically integrated power utility; and we act as a centre of engineering for ESB, supporting the delivery of major capital infrastructure projects, including wind farms, electricity networks and thermal power stations.As a major player on the global energy stage, what is the scale of ESBI’s operations?ESB commenced international business in 1975 following the oil crisis at a time when ESB had excess staff due to capital projects not going ahead. Since then, our highly qualified engineers have worked in 115 countries on behalf of utilities, private developers, regulators, governments, funding agencies and banks.

Our parent company ESB owns a total of 6,000MW of installed capacity. ESB International currently employs over 800 staff in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. At present, we have operations in South Africa, Tanzania, Ireland, UK, Turkey, Vietnam, Malaysia, Bahrain, Pakistan, Ghana, Namibia, Botswana, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Romania, Germany and Spain.

As a utility-based consultant, we provide a service where we take ownership of a client’s projects and deliver it as if it were our own. If the situation calls for it, we can reach back into our utility and provide instant access to experts in all areas of the power business. This utility background gives us a unique perspective as

an operator and developer which helps the company to fully understand and find solutions facing energy sector clients around the world.

How important is the Middle East market to ESBI’s overall business?The Middle East is a very important market for ESB International. In fact, it was in the here that ESB began its international business originally. Since 1975 we have been working continuously in the Gulf region, supporting the Electricity & Water Authority in Bahrain in its electricity expansion projects over that period. Currently, we have over 60 staff in Bahrain. ESBI has worked in the majority of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and has managed significant projects in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman.

The growth in electricity generation projected in the GCC market over the next 10 years is very significant in world terms. Saudi Arabia alone is planning more than 50,000 MW of new generation capacity over that period. As a company, we are renewing and strengthening our business development activities across the region, and plan to provide significant engineering and utility consultancy services to the sector companies.

In addition to investments in more than 2300MW of installed capacity and a similar amount in development, ESBI has 400MW of renewable wind energy plant installed, 164MW under construction and a further pipeline of 740MW planned for Ireland and the UK.

What other targets and plans does ESBI have for the Irish market?ESB international supports its parent company,

Engineering growthESB International (ESBI) managing director Ollie Brogan speaks exclusively to the Arab-Irish Journal about the engineering, strategy and project management consultancy’s plans to double revenues from its international revenues within the next five years.

ESBI


ESB’s asset development strategy in the ‘all-island’ energy market. As part of this, we continue to cultivate relationships with other utility and asset developers, both in Ireland and the UK. In parallel to this, we are also seeking to develop our presence in key energy markets across the world, and we continue to see strong growth in providing engineering consultant solutions to clients in both thermal and renewable energy across these markets.

ESB invests between €750m and €1bn annually in capital projects in Ireland and the UK supported by ESBI engineering expertise. In Ireland, this investment is focused on upgrading and improving the electricity transmission and distribution system, and on the development of wind farms where we currently have almost 400MW of wind in operation.

What have been some of ESBI’s major achievements in the Irish and Middle East markets?ESB International has been working continuously in Bahrain for the past 38 years for the same client, demonstrating our strong focus on customer service and providing successful project delivery. In Ireland, we have been instrumental in delivering ESB’s network renewal programme, which has resulted in significant performance improvements such as a 62 per cent drop in customer minutes lost and efficiencies. Due to high quality service, Ireland was recently cited by IBM as having the third most advanced smart network in the world. We stand out from other companies because of our in depth knowledge of the sector, highly experienced and expert staff and ability and willingness to take ownership in addressing any problems that arise.

What are the main challenges and opportunities in the Irish and Middle East markets?The main challenge ESB International foresees is the scale of the opportunities. In response to this demand, ESB international is developing a dynamic resource model to meet the resource capability required to deliver for its existing and potential clients. There is significant investment in energy infrastructure across all of our key markets and we have recently secured new contracts in the Middle East, Turkey and South Africa.

We are on track to double turnover from our international operations over the next five years and will need skilled people from all of the main engineering disciplines to support that growth. As part of this, we plan to recruit 200 highly qualified professional engineers and additional support staff in all our markets.

What are your future plans?Our plans are to double revenues from our

international operations over the next five years by servicing strategic clients in the GCC and worldwide. We have opened new relationships with clients in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain and will continue to seek like minded clients who value the services and level of quality we offer.

The growth in electricity generation projected in the GCC market over the next 10 years is very significant in world terms; Saudi Arabia alone is planning more than 50,000 MW of new generation capacity over that period.

ESBI Chief Ollie Brogan



Cooperation Between Kurdistan and Northern Irelandnorthern Ireland companies are being encouraged to take advantage of a bonanza of economic opportunities in the Middle East.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed His Excellency Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to northern Ireland, on a two-day trade and investment visit organised by Invest nI.

Minister Foster revealed that 2,000 schools and 150 hospitals are planned for the oil-rich region over the next 15 years.

Last year a new Invest nI office was opened in Erbil, Kurdistan, and both Minister Foster and President Barzani have already signed a Memorandum of understanding to strengthen trade links between northern Ireland and Kurdistan, with particular attention being paid to higher education, police and security training, tourism and agriculture.

A number of northern Ireland companies have already secured business in the wider Middle East region, particularly in the oil and gas, construction, professional services, education and agriculture sectors.

The delegation took a tour of the Titanic museum and also visited the Agri-food and Biosciences Institute in Belfast.

Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, the Kurdistan Regional Government high representative to the united Kingdom, was a member of the delegation. She mentioned how the two regions have a lot to learn from one another.

AIJ NewsPetroceltic Updates on Iraqi OperationsPetroceltic International plc (“Petroceltic” or “the Company” or “the Group’), the upstream oil and gas exploration, development and production company focused on the Middle East & north Africa (MEnA), the Mediterranean and the Black Sea regions today announces its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2012.Overview• A transformational year combines the long term stability of revenues, the start of an

exciting development in Algeria and potentially high impact exploration in the near future

• Group funded to progress existing discoveries towards production while maintaining a consistent exploration programme

• On schedule for a premium listing on the main market of the London and Irish stock exchanges by late June 2013

• On a consolidated enlarged group basis, full year pro-forma production rate of 28.4Mboepd

• Exploration and Development• Reserves of 304MMboe booked at Ain Tsila, a major milestone demonstrating long

term value• Detailed planning underway for awarding of major Ain Tsila development contracts

in 2014• Black Sea assets offer strong production and potentially material exploration leads • Exploration and development wells planned throughout the year and the Kamchia

well currently drilling offshore Bulgaria• Two high impact wells in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq commencing this year target

prospects in excess of 500MMbbl • new acreage awards in Egypt and Italy added to portfolioResults• Consolidation of Melrose results from Oct 10th increased revenues from $0.42m to

$59.4m (annualised $254m)• Profit from operating activities before exploration costs was $4m compared with a

loss of $6.4m in 2011• Once off merger related costs, exploration write offs and finance expenses resulted

in a pre-tax loss of $6.7m compared with $8.2m in the previous year• net debt at year end of $209 million

Football Star Eyes Iraq Broadband BusinessThe broadband company belonging to former Irish international soccer player and Sunderland boss niall Quinn (pictured) is reported to be considering entering the Iraq market.

The Irish Independent reports that his company, QSat, has formed a partnership with another Irish company, Altobridge, that could take it into Iraq, where Altobridge already provides technology to bring mobile connectivity to remote areas.

Quinn’s company aims to bring broadband to rural regions via an innovation in satellite technology.

The company will focus initially on Africa, and has set up an office in Kenya.

“Things are at an early stage,” said Quinn. “We’ve partnered with Altobridge and Intel and satellite operator Avanti, who in September launched a new satellite technology called KA that makes things possible.”

Libya to Open Embassy in IrelandLibya plans to open an embassy in Ireland by the end of the year, according to a report from the Irish Times.Libyans have been coming to Ireland for professional and educational reasons since the 1960s, resulting in Ireland becoming home to the second biggest Libyan diaspora in Europe after the united Kingdom. Several Libyans with connections to Ireland played prominent roles in the February revolution.

“There is a real need for an embassy here to offer consular assistance and to further develop relations between Libya and Ireland,” said Faheem Bukhatwa, a lecturer at Griffith College, Dublin, and spokesman for the Libyan community in Ireland.

Plans are being drawn up for a delegation of Libyan officials and business people to visit Ireland soon.



Middle East Meets West!March 2013A delegation of Irish tourism organisations joined Tourism Ireland’s 2013 sales mission in the Middle East in a bid to ensure the island of Ireland fully capitalises on this lucrative, emerging tourism market.

The three-day mission, which took in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, involved a series of workshops, presentations and networking events with top travel agents, tour operators and journalists from the GCC countries – providing an invaluable opportunity for the participating Irish companies to showcase their product and do business face-to-face with the influential decision-makers they met.

Although use of the internet for planning and booking holidays is on the increase, travel agents remain extremely important in the Middle East region; so, the principle objective of the sales mission was to build awareness among key travel agents and tour operators of the many things to see and do on a holiday in Ireland and encourage them to include the destination in their future holiday programmes and brochures.

Commenting on the business potential of the sales mission to the Middle East, Jim Paul, Tourism Ireland’s head of Australia and developing markets, said: “Tourism missions such as this provide a platform for us, and our Irish tourism partners, to showcase the huge range of things to see and do on a holiday in Ireland and are extremely important in helping us to compete effectively for the growing number of affluent travellers from this market. Ireland is an emerging destination for Middle East travellers and this market could certainly play a part in helping us to grow tourism from overseas in 2013 and beyond.”

2012 was a record year for visitor numbers from Ireland’s long-haul markets. And indications for 2013 are also positive: Etihad’s recent announcement of a 35 per cent increase in capacity on its service from Abu Dhabi to Dublin, in addition to the Emirates service from Dubai, mean that it is easier than ever before to get to Ireland from the Middle East. Also, the visa waiver scheme, introduced by the Government in 2011, is enhancing Ireland’s popularity as a holiday destination for uAE travellers – making it easier for them, and for travellers from other emerging tourism markets, to come to Ireland on holidays.

Ciara Buckley, The Doyle Collection (centre), meeting with travel agents in Dubai, during Tourism Ireland’s recent sales mission to the Middle East.

Aer Rianta


Since taking over as CEO at the Middle East subsidiary of one of the world’s longest-established travel retail companies Aer Rianta International, (ARI) in January 2010, Philip Eckles and his team have succeeded in growing turnover in all locations. They have also overseen an increase in the profits of the Middle East Division, setting new benchmarks in both years.

“Our operations are based on fixed-term contracts, and we’ve been very successful over the years at extending contracts and winning new ones, but it’s always a challenge and certainly won’t get any easier,” says Philip Eckles, Chief Executive, Aer Rianta International Middle East (ARIME).

The key to ARIME’s past success has been its ability to grow the number of operations in which the Irish-Bahraini joint venture company has interests in the region and to continue extending the contract period in each location.

“We are currently looking at a couple of new locations and are continually working with our partners to ensure the longevity of the existing operations,” Eckles notes in reference to the company’s expansion plans.

“More often, contracts are for a fixed period and ARIME and other operators in the market respond to RFP’s from an airport authority. It’s a competitive process with the winner securing

the contract for a fixed period, normally five or 10 years.”

Eckles, who boasts 20 years’ experience in senior management positions within the ARI Group in locations including Ukraine, Pakistan, UK, Bulgaria and, most recently, Canada, holds

Mr Duty FreeAer Rianta International Middle East CEO Philip Eckles tells Lynne Nolan how he ensures his company continues to deliver the highest international standards of travel retail service to airports and passengers across the region.

A PROFILE- Philip Eckles

Aer Rianta


ultimate responsibility for the Middle East operations at ARIME.

“I began my working life in domestic retailing in the UK, before joining the Allders International Group at its duty free operations at Heathrow Airport in 1989. After four years, I joined ARI and this year I’m celebrating my 20th anniversary with the company,” says Eckles, who is originally from West London.

Eckles’ career with ARI has included tenures as Operations Manager in Pakistan and England, and General Manager in Ukraine and North America. He also served as Commercial Adviser to the company on a number of key projects in locations such as Birmingham in the UK and Sofia in Bulgaria.

As one of ARI’s most significant joint venture partnerships, ARIME manages retail duty free and duty paid operations at airports in a number of countries, including Cyprus, Lebanon, Bahrain, Muscat, Qatar and India.

ARI’s activities in the region extend back as far as 1991, when its partnership with Bahrain Duty Free began. It commenced operations in Kuwait the following year, followed by Cyprus and Lebanon in 1996 and Damascus in 1997. In 2000, ARIME became involved in Qatar, then Muscat two years later, and Egypt in 2004.

Although most of ARIME’s operations on the shop floor are staffed by local employees, the company retains key management roles for ARI-seconded personnel, most of whom are from Ireland.

ARIME, a joint venture company of which ARI is the majority shareholder, has a number of local Bahraini partners including Mr Abdulla Buhindi, who also serves as Honorary Irish Consul to Bahrain. Mr Buhindi and other local Bahraini partners have been shareholders of the company since it was formed 20 years ago and embody ARI’s successful strategy of partnering with key partners in the regions where the company operates.

Although the importance of duty free as

Our operations are based on fixed term contracts, and we’ve been very successful over the years at extending contracts and winning new ones, but it’s always a challenge and certainly won’t get any easier.

part of the travel process has diminished in more mature travel markets, such as Europe, it remains an integral part of the travel experience in many regions including the Middle East, Eckles mentions.

From business planning to roll-out and implementation, from supply and logistics to customer relationship management, ARI offers a comprehensive suite of services in developing and managing successful travel retail operations. The company has been awarded Retailer of the Year three times by its industry peers and won Specialty Concept of The Year for the Irish Whiskey Collection at the Frontier Awards in 2011.

The basis of duty free retailing is about offering lower tax-free prices to travellers than those

available for similar goods in their domestic markets and providing exclusive items which are not available for sale on the high street.

“Today, we are able to do this in fantastic airport facilities that allow us to provide airport customers with first-class retail environments and at the same time ensure that the service standards we deploy are exemplary,” Eckles enthuses.

“We offer this consistent quality of service wherever we have operations. What we do within each market though is vary the product offering to match the needs of the passenger demographics of that particular airport and the passengers that travel through it. This can be quite a tricky proposition, but we have been doing this a long time and are good at it,” he adds.

Aer Rianta


Aer Rianta


Since the first Duty Free shop was created at Shannon Airport in 1947, the ARI story has been one of continuous change and growth. ARI designs, manages and operates duty free and duty paid airport retail outlets in Europe, Asia and the Americas, with front-line retail staff expertly trained and motivated to offer quality service to customers, protect brands and optimise sales.

The company takes the learning in one market, adapts it with the benefit of extensive research and robust consumer, and applies it to the other markets where it operates, Eckles explains. “Learning consumer insights and adapting our offer is an on-going process in all our locations.”

Bahrain Duty Free Shop Complex BSC reported a 17.4 per cent surge in net profit to BD6.4 million (US$17 million) for the year ended 31 December 2012. Gross profit rose by 6 per cent and gross profit margin increased 3.2 per cent, while operating costs were cut by 6.4 per cent, spurring a 22.5 per cent rise in operating profit.

“Despite the continuing challenges faced in 2012, our financial results demonstrate the resilience of the company to return another strong financial performance,” says Eckles. “While 2013 is also expected to present challenges, the company remains focused to achieve another exceptional performance.”

Aer Rianta’s success in the region has been has been built on four key principles, according to Eckles. “Firstly, as an Irish semi-state company, there is a great deal of confidence concerning the level of integrity and corporate governance that we exercise in our operations throughout the region.

“Secondly, we have worked very closely with our partners over the years to ensure our business success.”

Good relationships in the region are the key to success and ARIME’s partners have always been committed and engaged in helping to build the success of each business, he says.

Eckles’ predecessor, John Sutcliffe, was the head of ARIME for 17 years and during that time, with the support of others such as John Boland, Mike Murphy and James Prescott, he grew the business in to the success that it is today, he mentions.

The third key principle that has contributed to ARIME’s success over the years is, according to Eckles, its “great management team, be it in the business units around the region or at our head office in Bahrain. My biggest challenge is, of course, maintaining the high bar that others have set.”

“Fourth and finally, we are very good at what we do. If you look at our operations around the region, they are as good, if not better, than anywhere you will find in the world today,” he concludes proudly.

Sky Cargo


A veteran air cargo professional and highly-respected leader, Michael Meagher has been working in the aviation industry for more than 30 years, starting out with Aer Lingus and progressing to a number of senior executive positions with the national airline, including General Manager – Cargo and Chief Executive of Futura International Airlines, a Mallorca-based subsidiary of Aer Lingus.

Meagher left Aer Lingus more than 10 years ago, before working as Chief Executive Officer of an all-cargo airline, Ocean Airlines in Italy, and subsequently as Managing Director of Silverjet Cargo in the UK. Prior to joining the Emirates team in Dublin, he lived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for two years, where he held the position of Executive Vice-President for Saudi Airlines Cargo.

In his current role as Cargo Manager - Ireland at Emirates, Meagher holds full responsibility for the Emirates Sky Cargo product in Ireland, which involves sales, marketing, service delivery and accounting.

Prior to the commencement of the direct Dublin-

Dubai service, Emirates SkyCargo was selling its services in Ireland through the UK office. The service offered, he explains, was from Manchester or London via an overnight trucking service from Dublin, Shannon and Cork.

“With the introduction of our direct flight, I was tasked with increasing our presence in the Irish market. To achieve this a dedicated ‘SkyCargo’

Wise Move The finest service in the sky is supported by the finest facilities on the ground, as Michael Meagher, Cargo Manager – Ireland at Emirates SkyCargo tells Lynne Nolan.

Sky Cargo


team was set up in Dublin Airport to look after the Irish market,” says Meagher.

Despite having a team of consummate professionals at the helm, Meagher admits the company faced some major challenges in its early stages. “We faced significant competitive challenges from the incumbent airline operating direct services to the Middle East ex-Dublin and all the major carriers operating ex-UK, all of whom have a significant presence in the air cargo industry in Ireland,” he recalls.

“However with the combination of our high quality service, our dedicated team and the introduction of our direct services form Dublin, we were able to give the Irish market the opportunity to experience our services. The response from our customers has been tremendous.”

By mid-2012, Emirates had progressed to the position of second largest Air Cargo Airline ex-Ireland, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), significantly ahead of all its direct and indirect competitors in the Irish market.

In December 2012, Emirates SkyCargo took delivery of its seventh Boeing 777F. Scheduled freighters now operate to 39 destinations. Within the next few years, Emirates will welcome 201 aircraft to its fleet, including six Boeing 777Fs and 66 Boeing 777-300 ER, Meagher believes. The total value of aircraft now on its order books is US $73 billion.

The key factor driving Emirates SkyCargo’s success is the delivery of a high quality product to all major destinations on its network, Meagher believes.

The company ships products including perishable seafood, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and electronic equipment, most of which require quick and efficient transit time to their final destination.

Emirates’ 198-strong fleet is one of the youngest in the skies, Meagher mentions, referencing a SkyCargo’s fleet that includes ten freighters (one Boeing 747-400Fs, two 747-400ERF and seven 777Fs) that now serve 130 destinations in 75 countries on six continents.

Emirates provides a daily direct service from Dublin to Dubai operated by a Boeing 777 Aircraft. In addition to providing a superb passenger service, the aircraft can uplift 25,000 kilos capacity per flight, Meagher reveals.

“Combined with this, when there is demand for additional capacity, we can also avail of Emirates’ scheduled services ex-Manchester and London, via an overnight truck service from Dublin,” he adds.

For specialised cargo which cannot fit on passenger services, such as chemicals and large computer servers, the company provides all-cargo (freighter) services ex-London and Amsterdam to Dubai to connect with its freighter-scheduled services throughout its network.

To connect with these services, the Emirates

With the combination of our high quality service, our dedicated team and the introduction of our direct services form Dublin, we were able to give the Irish market the opportunity to experience our services.

SkyCargo office in Dublin will arrange road feeder services from Dublin, Shannon and Cork to Amsterdam or London, and will also confirm capacity on our freighter services through to final destination.

“The finest service in the sky is supported by the finest facilities on the ground,” Meagher says. Much of the company’s success can be attributed to the systems and equipment at the Cargo Mega Terminal (CMT) in Dubai, built on a 43,600m² site.

Fully-automated and designed from the ground up with state-of-the-art handling and tracking systems, the CMT ensures the shortest acceptance, delivery and transit times of any major international airport, with urgent inbound

Emirates SkyCargo Country Manager Micheal Meagher

Sky Cargo

32 | The Arab Irish Journal The Arab Irish Journal | PB

consignments cleared within 120 minutes of arrival, outbound acceptances up to just 120 minutes prior to departure and outbound transfers possible in less than 120 minutes.

The new benchmark in air transport logistics hubs, the CMT’s fully-integrated computer systems link airlines, customs and freight forwarding agencies, so that consignments can be traced and retrieved in minutes, while dedicated facilities for courier shipments and express cargo provide fast-track, priority channels.

Acknowledged by industry professionals as one of the most modern and efficient cargo terminals in the world, the CMT opened its doors in 2008 and has since increased ground-handling capacity by more than 1.2 million tonnes annually. From live animals to temperature-sensitive goods, the noise-protected areas, independently-controlled temperature and lighting zones at the CMT can meet any critical requirements.

In the 2010-11 financial year, Emirates SkyCargo carried 1.8 million tonnes of cargo - an improvement of 11.8 per cent over the year’s previous 1.7 million tonnes. Cargo revenue, at AED 8.8 billion (US$ 2.4 billion), including mail and courier, accounted for 17.4 percent of the airline’s total transport revenue.

In 2012 alone, the carrier won a raft of prestigious awards including Air Cargo Carrier Of The Year 2012 at the Global Freight Awards, the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Supply Chain & Transport Awards 2012 (UAE), and the Platinum 2012 Award from Air Cargo World (USA).

The carrier was also named as Cargo Airline of the Year 2012 by The STAT Trade Times (India), Best African Cargo Airline; Best Middle East Cargo Airline 2012 for the 24th year running at

the prestigious Cargo Airline of the Year Awards, organised by Air Cargo News (UK); and Best Air Cargo Carrier Middle East 2012 at the Asian Freight and Supply Chain Award, for the 17th year running.

Emirates SkyCargo prides itself on the smooth and highly efficient transit service offered through its Dubai hub. For example, perishable seafood travelling from Dublin today is delivered fresh to the customer in Hong Kong by tomorrow afternoon. The company also specialises in the transportation of live animals, primarily cats and dogs, from Ireland to Dubai and onwards to Australia and other destinations on its network, he explains.

“This is the level of service demanded by our customers and we are happy to provide this. The customer can also track the status of their shipments on our website (www.skycargo.com),” Meagher enthuses.

Emirates

PB | The Arab Irish Journal The Arab Irish Journal | 33

Emirates Flying High At Dublin Holiday World

Emirates was the star of the show at this year’s Dublin Holiday World, which attracted over 50,000 visitors over three days, an increase of 16 per cent on 2012.

The Emirates stand was one of the brightest and busiest, with the Dublin team advising members of the public on Emirates’ extensive route network and the more popular destinations for the Irish market including Dubai, Sydney, Perth, Auckland, The Maldives, Bangkok, Seychelles, Mumbai, Jaipur and Cape Town.

The Dublin team recently celebrated its first anniversary, following a very successful launch in January 2012.

Hello Tomorrow

ITMA


It’s hard to imagine a sport more ingrained in the Irish psyche than Horse Racing. For a small country with just over 4.5 million inhabitants, there are 26 racecourses around the country that welcome around 1.2 million race-goers through their gates each year.

Racing is held 12 months of the year and in 2012 almost 10,000 thoroughbred horses competed for a total prize-fund of €44m. With over 700 licensed racehorse trainers in the country, competition is fierce and, as a result, the standard of racing is world class.

Such is the role of horse racing in Ireland that it is often classified firstly as an industry and secondly as a sport. This industry supports approximately 17,000 jobs and its annual output

is worth in excess of €900m to the Irish economy. A thriving breeding industry goes hand

in hand with a healthy racing industry. Irish breeders produce the raw material for racehorse owners and trainers around the world and Ireland’s record of producing champions on the racetrack is second to none. In 2012 the highest-rated 2-year-old in the world, Dawn Approach, was bred and trained in Ireland by Jim Bolger.

Ireland’s well earned reputation around the world as a source for quality bloodstock has lead to many of the worlds leading bloodstock figures establishing breeding and racing operations in Ireland. Influential names like Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his brother Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum,

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing – Racing to the Top

ITMA


Prince Khalid Abdulla, HH The Aga Khan, Jaber Abdullah and Sheikh Fahad Al Thani all have substantial breeding and racing operations in Ireland.

Ireland has a natural advantage for rearing and racing thoroughbreds. A temperate climate and lush pastures enriched with calcium from the limestone base provide a natural nursery for durable, sound horses. This natural advantage is backed up by a skilled workforce with a long standing affinity for the horse.

Horses bred in Ireland consistently enjoy success around the world and, as a result, Irish horses are the subject of much interest from international racehorse owners. In 2012 Irish horses were exported to 35 different countries with 57 horses exported to Saudi Arabia, 48 horses exported to Qatar and 116 going to UAE. A further development to this in recent years has seen many overseas owners buying Irish horses but leaving them in Ireland to be trained in order to take advantage of the established world class facilities, infrastructure and prestige that has been bestowed upon the Irish industry.

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM) is the organisation that promotes the Irish racing and breeding industry outside of Ireland and its team is constantly researching new markets and travelling overseas encouraging interested parties to invest in the Irish success story. They aim to be the first point of contact for overseas people seeking information on any aspect of the Irish bloodstock industry.

The ITM office is based in Kildare and they can be contacted on +353 45 443060. More information on the organisation which is a subsidiary of the semi-state body Horse Racing Ireland can be found on their website www.itm.ie

CARNIVAL CULMINATES WITH MORE IRISH SUCCESSThe culmination of the Dubai Carnival took place on Saturday March 30th at Meydan Racecourse with the spectacular Dubai World Cup meeting. The world’s richest race, the Dubai World Cup, was won impressively by the Graham Motion-trained Animal Kingdom, who will now be aimed at Royal Ascot. There was quite a bit of Irish representation on the night and both Irish-trained and bred horses acquitted themselves extremely well. Irish success was headed by the victory of St Nicholas Abbey (IRE) in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic. The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt showed he is a world-class Group 1 performer as he quickened clear of Japanese challenger Gentildonna to win under a top class ride from the trainers son Joseph. St Nicholas Abbey is now the highest prize-money earner for the Ballydoyle team with earnings of over €5m and he should take centre stage in all the middle distance top level races he runs in this season.It was the second victory of the day for Aidan O’Brien as he combined earlier with jockey Ryan Moore to land the UAE Derby with Lines Of Battle. This winner will now represent Ireland in the Kentucky Derby in May. There were also some fantastic perfomances in defeat and with staggeringly high prize-money on offer these performances were all the more important. Elleval (IRE) posted a personal best to finish second to Lines Of Battle for Tipperary trainer David Marnane and owner Damien Lavelle. Elleval, a son of Kodiac, won at the Carnival earlier in the year and Saturday’s second placing brought his earnings to over €350,000. Similarly Balmont Mast (IRE) also grabbed the runner-up spot in the Group 1 Golden Shaheen - a super result for Meath trainer Eddie Lynam, who co-owns Balmont Mast with Tara Stud’s Derek Iceton.Over the duration of the Dubai Carnival, Irish-bred horses won 28 per cent of all the races run. This is an incredible figure when you consider the international participation of the Carnival with horses competing from Britain, USA, France, Spain, South Africa, India, Singapore, Japan, South America and Russia.

Influential names like Sheikh Mohammed Bin

Rashid Al Maktoum and his brother Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum,

Prince Khalid Abdulla, HH The Aga Khan, Jaber

Abdullah and Sheikh Fahad Al Thani all have

substantial breeding and racing operations

in Ireland.

Connolly’s RED MILLS


Nestled in the scenic farm country in County Kilkenny, Ireland, Connolly’s RED MILLS has been the home of the Connolly family business since 1908. Headed up jointly by Joe and Bill Connolly, RED MILLS has grown to become one of the most successful and technologically advanced performance animal food manufacturers in the world. With the fifth generation of the Connolly family now involved in the business, it has expanded into over 40 equine performance markets worldwide and is constantly striving to improve and innovate.

“The interesting thing about a family business is that you never stop thinking about the business, it’s all consuming and you rarely switch off,” says Joe “My brother Bill and I took over the business in 1994; we run the company jointly. There are also other members of the family involved. Michael deals with the overseas markets, which include France, Germany, Sweden, Asia, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Malaysia and more. He recently visited Sydney where he has been exploring some exciting opportunities.”

Along with their in-house team of experts comprising of industry experts, nutritionists and vets, Connolly’s RED MILLS is involved in research and development with leading universities and educational institutions in order to stay at the cutting edge of equine nutrition.

A significant investment in NFMS™ (Nutrient Fresh Management System) manufacturing equipment in 2008 gave Connolly’s RED MILLS a competitive advantage. This pioneering technology is a world first for RED MILLS and uses seven tiers of natural preservation to maintain perfect freshness for up to 12 months.

NFMS™ has allowed RED MILLS to offer the benefits and efficiencies of complete diets to new markets that hither to could not get such a choice of affordable, good quality feed. Transport can account for 20-30% of feed product costs. By vastly extending shelf life with NFMS™, customers can now order bulk quantities and reduce transport costs, without affecting the quality of the feed.

Connolly’s RED MILLS is the only feed company to use LCMSMS in its on-site laboratory, which tests for product quality and Naturally Occurring Prohibited Substances (NOPS) to parts per billion. NOPS occur naturally (such as morphine traces in poppy seeds) and can find their way to the animal via the food chain. We screen samples for seven key NOPS: caffeine, theobromine, morphine, hordenine, atropine, scopolamine and lupinine. This testing is used to ensure compliance with rules laid down by leading sporting bodies such as the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the Jockey Club and Turf Club. The testing technologies are the same as those used by the Olympic Council and forensic bodies around the world.

Results speak louder than words, and Connolly’s RED MILLS customers are taking Group 1, Grade 1 and Grand Prix successes worldwide. RED MILLS continuous product


innovations have stemmed from identifying customer needs, working with leading research institutions, home and abroad, and responding with products that drive performance and results. Close relationships with our customers has always been a key feature of the company’s success.

“In our experience Red Mills brand is the most valuable asset that we have. It stands for consistency, quality, and service in pursuit of excellence. This means there is a message left with the customer under a single name that can be built on. Constant innovation, close 360 degree working relationships with customers and a highly qualified, motivated workforce is the key to success for any business,” says Joe Connolly

Connolly’s RED MILLS is very aware of the need to support the industry and are involved in numerous sponsorships worldwide. These include the RED MILLS Irish Champion Stakes, Cheveley Park Stakes (UK), the Lowther Stakes (UK) as well as race sponsors in India, Selangor and Malaysia to name a few.

Now a recognised, renowned global brand, the one hundred million Euro group employs 200 people at its plant in Goresbridge in Kilkenny and at export offices around the world, including China, the UK, Sweden, France, Japan and Malaysia.

Contact: Michael Connolly, Global Business Development DirectorConnolly’s RED MILLS,GoresbridgeCo KilkennyIreland+353 59 9775 800



CRM MENA advert So You Think A4.indd 1 14/03/2013 20:57

Forans


Established in 1974, by horseman and pharmaceutical rep Sean Foran, Foran Equine Products has established and maintained a thought leadership position in equine healthcare products.

Today, Foran Equine Products is distributed to 40 countries worldwide and is used and trusted by many of the world’s leading racing stables and breeding facilities.

“The products have a consistent, uncompromising efficacy,” says Margaret Wilson, Veterinary Surgeon, Kilkenny, Ireland, “and I always recommend them to my clients”. Foran Equine Products is one of the few companies in the equine healthcare industry, which produces over 95% of their own product portfolio and this commitment to quality has underpinned its success.

The company boasts a comprehensive, well-established range of over 60 products, which have been specifically designed to optimise horse health and boost performance capability. Following more than 10 years’ research and development into the increased nutritional requirements of high performance horses, the range now includes the most technologically advanced and innovative performance enhancing products available today, known as the Pro-Am Range of products.

Based on a unique formulation of hydrolysed plant protein, Pro-Am Racing, Pro-Am Protein Prep and Pro-Am Boost have been designed to provide a 100% bio available source of ‘pre-digested’ amino acids to the horse.

“Every effort has been made at Derrinstown Stud to create a world-class centre of excellence for horses and their owners.

Foran Equine Products

Throughout the years we have continuously rated Foran Equine Products as being excellent in terms of customer care, product quality and value.”

Stephen Collins, General Manager, Derrinstown Stud, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

Only the highest quality ingredients available go into every batch of Foran Equine Products manufactured. Superior quality bio-available minerals and pharmaceutical-grade raw ingredients are used to make our nutritional feed supplements. Through a team of retained Veterinarians and Equine Nutritionists, specialist advice is available from Foran Equine Products Ltd. providing in-depth technical support and guidance to clients. The Foran Equine Products brand is synonymous with product integrity, superior quality and trust.

Contacts:Michael Connolly, Global Business Development DirectorSarah Foran, Sales & Marketing Director

Foran Equine Products Ltd. 2 Cherry Orchard Ind. Est.,Dublin 10,Ireland.

Tel: + 353 1 6268058Fax: + 353 1 6268059Email: [email protected]: www.forans.com

We are very proud of our excellent worldwide reputation as a highly trusted brand in the global equine industry

Forans

The Arab Irish Journal | 39Foran Equine Products Page 1

EQUINE PRODUCTS

FORAN

EQUINE PRODUCTS

FORAN

SuperiorEquine Products

since 1974.

Forans MENA advert A4.indd 1 14/03/2013 20:56

Univet


Established in 1980, Univet Ltd is an Irish-based manufacturer of veterinary medicinal products for the Irish and export markets. Our range include Growvite, an oral mineral vitamin supplement, Sacrolyte electrolyte containing B vitamins and a unique gel, anthelmintics including Curafluke & Tramazole fluke and worm drenches and a range of antibiotic preparations. Below is some information on just three of Univets products.

Curafluke (Rafoxanide 10% / Fenbendazole 10%)Curafluke is a low volume fluke and worm drench which controls all major worms including Lungworms, Stomachworms incl Ostertagia Type II and Mature and Immature Liver Fluke in cattle. Curafluke is packed in 1L and 2.5L sizes with a dose rate of just 60ml / 500kg. There is no known resistance in Fluke to rafoxanide, the flukicide used in Curafluke.

Tramazole 10% (Albendazole 10 w/v)Tramazole is an an oral drench, controlling tapeworms, lungworms, all major stomach worms including ostertagia type II, adult liver fluke and fluke eggs in cattle and sheep. Tramazole is packed in 1L, 2.5L and 5L sizes for both cattle and sheep. Tramazole 10% has a recommended dose rate of only 50ml per 500kg to treat Fluke and Worms. The meat withholding time is 14 days in cattle and only 4 days in sheep. Milk withholding is 60 hours in cows.

SacrolyteSacrolyte, the well-known Electrolyte powder manufactured by Univet, has now become a major player in the Electrolyte markets both in Ireland and abroad. Sacrolyte which was formulated by Univet’s veterinary specialists in 1995 is not only a brand leader in Ireland but is now exported to twenty countries which include the U.K, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Denmark, Poland, Norway, Sweden, Eqypt, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Iraq, Dubai, Philippines, Kuwait, Sudan, Jordan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Ms Marie Stack M.R.CV.S Univet’s resident veterinary surgeon states “Sacrolyte is a very practical but unique product. The combination of Electrolytes, Energy, Gelling agent and B Vitamins is very useful as the Electrolytes replace salts lost during scouring, the energy source (Dextrose) gives the strength to recover, the gel enhances gut movement thus reducing de-hydration and the B vitamins are necessary when off milk or milk-replacer.”

Dr Mahmoud Abdullah, Univet’s Marketing Manager in the Middle East says: “The Sacrolyte success did not happen by accident as a lot of money was spent on different formulations before the present product was produced. It proved very

Univet Ltd making strides on export markets

Available From Animal Health Outlets throughout the Middle East. Tel: 00353 49 555 3203

Controls immature and mature Fluke

No known Resistance

Controls Tapeworms, Lungworms (Hoose), Stomach Worms incl. Ostertagia type II (Winter Scour)

Low Volume: Only 5.6ml per 50kg

10%

RAFOXANIDE 10% w/v FENBENDAZOLE 10% w/vORAL FLUKE & WORM DRENCH FOR CATTLE

Immature & Mature Fluke

Pack Size: 1L & 2.5L Licensed Merchant

LM

successful in trials which gave us the confidence to give samples to many Dairy Farmers. The reaction from farmers was very favorable and as a result Sacrolyte has now gone from strength to strength.Further information is available on the Univet Ltd website www.univet.net or by telephone +353 49 5553203.



Etihad Airways, the national airline of the united Arab Emirates, has unveiled the new Etihad Travel Mall, its flagship one-stop travel retail and check-in facility, in Dubai.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Aviation Authority and Emirates Group, officially opened the Etihad Travel Mall during a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer.

The Etihad Travel Mall offers, under one roof, everything guests need to plan, book and travel with the airline.

Guests are able to purchase a ticket, check-in for a flight, drop off baggage and board an Etihad Express luxury coach bound for Abu Dhabi International Airport. After checking in at Etihad Travel Mall, guests may proceed to immigration and security on arrival at the airport.

The check-in and transport facilities replace the airline’s previous facilities at Chelsea Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road. The airline will continue to offer Etihad Express luxury coach service from its existing location at Dubai Marina Mall.

Three of the airline’s subsidiaries have facilities within the Etihad Travel Mall, making it a valuable resource for a range of travel needs:

Etihad Holidays, the leisure holiday division, offers exclusive rates on hotels and fully-inclusive holiday packages to destinations across the airline’s global network;

Hala Abu Dhabi, the destination management company, offers business and conference services as well as leisure arrangements for Abu Dhabi and the uAE for local and international visitors, including hotels, tours or tickets to events, such as concerts and the Formula1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix; and

HTM (Hala Travel Management), a joint venture with BCD Travel, offers the full range of corporate travel management services and solutions for clients across government and private sectors.

Also opening soon at the Etihad Travel Mall will be a variety of retail shops, including:

• Relay, a newspaper, magazine, book and convenience store• Hertz, the leading rental car service and Preferred Partner of

Etihad Airways• Arab Link, a money transfer and currency exchange service by

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank• Jones the grocer, the gourmet food emporium and café

Mr Hogan said: “Etihad Airways was established with the mandate to become the best airline in the world. now, as we approach our 10-year anniversary, an expanded vision is emerging. Etihad Airways is set on a trajectory to go farther and to also become the world’s best travel company.

“We will continue to look at ways in which we can offer a more seamless, enjoyable experience for our guests and ultimately transform the expectations of air travellers.

“This new facility is a demonstration of our commitment to our guests within our home market, offering a more comprehensive service with a complete one-stop location for all of their travel needs.”

The Etihad Travel Mall will also serve as the base for the airline’s Dubai and northern emirates sales teams.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Aviation Authority and Emirates Group, officially opened the Etihad Travel Mall during a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, and Hareb Almuhairy, Etihad Airways Vice President uAE.

AIJ News

Etihad Travel Mall Debuts In Dubai

Etihad Travel Mall Dubai

Brown Thomas


BROWN THOMAS is Ireland’s premier luxury department store and part of a global retail family, which includes Selfridges in the UK, Holt Renfrew in Canada and deBijenkorf in Holland.

Celebrating creativity, luxury and service since 1849, Brown Thomas is home to the very best Irish and international brands in fashion, accessories, beauty and home. Featuring the world’s most prestigious luxury boutiques such as Tiffany & Co., Hermés, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Céline, Prada and Gucci, Brown Thomas Dublin has achieved

pre-eminent status, a store that is listed among the best in the world, yet remains quintessentially Irish and unique.

Our Irish Designers include the celebrated JW Anderson and Lucy Downes, who now sit alongside the more established Irish Designers in Brown Thomas such as Louise Kennedy, Orla Kiely and Paraic Sweeney. Our Irish Designer portfolio also includes Europe’s first shop-in-shop Waterford Crystal Boutique, Tipperary Crystal and an extensive collection of Irish Linen.

To book a complimentary Brown Thomas Personal Shopping appointment, simply call 00353 1 617 1108 (womenswear) or 00353 1 617 1161 (menswear). Please note that as non-EU Residents, you can also shop TAXFREE in Brown Thomas and save additional money on your purchases. Mandarin speakers and China Union Pay are also available. Visit www.brownthomas.com for more details

BROWN THOMAS

ENJOY TAX FREE SHOPPING IN IRELAND

taxfreeworldwide.com

As a non-EU resident you can shop tax free in Ireland and save up to 17%.

For a fast, easy and reliable tax free service, look for stores with the Tax Free Worldwide sign and get more out of your shopping!

Kildare Village


In an era where it’s more chic to shop intelligently than ever before, Kildare Village leads the way, confidently offering the crème de la crème of quality labels to the most discerning of connoisseurs.

Kildare, the thoroughbred county, is famous for its horse breeding, horse racing, golf, spa, fine food and smart shopping. This is a place where the idea of savvy shopping is taken seriously and is best experienced when punctuated by cultural and social highlights.

Though on Dublin’s doorstep, Kildare Village feels a million miles away. Surrounded by the unique plains of The Curragh Race Course and the historic town of Kildare, it makes a delightful day trip from Dublin or a super stop-off on the road-trip to the south west.

Get introduced to European fashion names, from beautiful bag-maker Anya Hindmarch to legacy labels Jaeger and L.K. Bennett or sample one of Ireland’s leading design talent at Louise Kennedy whose classic pieces will keep forever. Thomas Pink, Hackett and Hugo Boss will convert shopping-shy men as they find the perfect shirt, tweed sports jacket and sleek suit, respectively.

Shopping works up an appetite and L’Officina, the Village’s Italian trattoria, is on standby to satisfy hungry style-hunters with its fresh, authentic fare. On a sunny day, the terrace, with views of the Grey Abbey, makes a perfect spot for an al fresco lunch or reviving caffé and dolce. Starbucks coffee provides a quick caffeine fix and snack if the shopping is simply too good to interrupt for long.

Getting to Kildare Village couldn’t be easier. Less than an hour from Dublin city centre, tourists can

Shop in Style

Kildare Village is a destination that is more than the sum of its parts. With over 60 international brands to choose from, each in its own elegant boutique, offering previous seasons’ collections at up to 60% off, every day, all year round, you can stretch your spending power with clever investment buys.

hop on the Kildare Village Shopping Express, a direct, daily coach service to the Village from Dublin Airport and Georges Quay, Dublin. There is also a regular train service from Dublin Heuston station for the 35 minute journey to Kildare station or if travelling by car, Kildare Village is easily found just off the M7 motorway at exit 13.

If Ireland is the first stop on a visit to the UK and Mainland Europe, why not think about taking in one or more of the other eight outlet Villages, for Kildare Village is part of a collection of nine Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages, each located just outside an exciting European city. Between them, the previous seasons’ collections of 900 stand-out international brands are available with savings of up to 60% and sometimes more. These chic destinations are a ‘must’ for travellers in Europe. In fact it may be worth planning one’s itinerary around them.

Louis Copeland


Louis Copelandand sons

No trip to Ireland should be completed without visiting one of Louis Copeland’s world-famous Menswear stores.

As Ireland’s longest established Bespoke tailors, Louis Copeland & Sons know it’s all about the finest details.

Whether your taste is for classic tailoring, or up-to-the-minute, high-end, designer fashion wear, the Louis Copeland experience is one that you won’t forget in a hurry.Louis Copeland & Sons quite simply needs no introduction!

The recipient of numerous accolades from both trade and media alike, the name Louis Copeland is synonymous with style, quality and a level of customer service that is second to none – not only in Ireland, but widely acknowledged worldwide.

The Copeland family have been in the clothing business for more than 100 years. Today the business is run by the third generation, namely brothers Louis and Adrian.

The family-run business has a number of stores in the group – the flagship being situated in Capel Street, right in the heart of Dublin City Centre. Top designer labels such as Armani, Boss, Paul Smith, Paul & Shark, Gant and Polo are all available, along with magnificently tailored garments from Italian suit giants Brioni, Canali, Kiton and many more.

A must have for many Irish men is a handmade Louis Copeland suit, crafted by a team of world class Master Tailors, cut from only the finest fabrics.

As far as we are concerned, it’s not all about the selling as much as it is about the service. We try to build relationships with people and turn customers into friends. If time or privacy is paramount, a staff member can easily be made available to call to your residence or place of business, extending our service outside the store boundaries. These service orientated provisions are what define the “Louis Copeland Experience”.

This experience is enhanced when entering our stores, where the ambiance is warm and inviting – yet totally discreet. We can also arrange pick up and return transport from your hotel or office. Once inside the store, let our vastly experienced team advise you on every detail from head to toe.

Louis Copeland


Your personal brand is the biggest asset you have. Every successful business man has one – a look, a trademark piece and a style of his own that inspires confidence. We take huge pride in seeing our customers perform to their maximum potential, and helping create part of the image gives us huge satisfaction.

No stranger to the spotlight, Louis has appeared on many television shows, movies, radio shows, adverts and as a current affairs commentator – and has probably outfitted the majority of his co-stars! The impressive walls in the stores are adorned with photos of some of our high profile clients. As you stroll around the store you will see the likes of Bill Clinton, Bono, Dan Ackroyd, Tom Jones, Sir Bobby Charlton, Europe’s Ryder Cup Teams, Westlife and Colin Farrell, to name but a few, staring back at you.

Our motto is “The Customer is King”. The next time you find yourself in our fair city, drop in and say hi to Louis, and let us give you the Royal treatment.

For more information visit www.louiscopeland.com

To be continued...

Kinara


Sometimes a chance meeting can change your life. That was the case back in 1999, when Irishman Sean Collender happened to go for a delicious dinner at the Kyber Tandoori restaurant in Dublin, where Shoaib Yunus was manager, and a match in foodie heaven was made.

Twelve years ago, their joint restaurant venture Kinara opened its doors in Dublin. Today they are proud to say they operate three very successful ethnic restaurants clustered in and around Ireland’s capital city.

As anyone who has had the good fortune to eat in one of their restaurants would tell you, the Kinara group strongly believes in staying true to the traditional flavours and tastes of The East.

All of their chefs source the best produce and only use Halal meats in all three restaurants, a decision which has helped win them a large and enthusiastic following in the Islamic community in Ireland.

The background to the Yunus-Collender collaboration is filled with their true dedication to quality food.

Yunus had always wanted to open his own restaurant, and after he had completed his education at the Pakistan Institute of Hotel Management, he commenced an apprenticeship in the trade, working first in catering in Karachi and Dubai before graduating to more ambitious ventures.

He was involved in the opening of several hotel restaurants, including the Fujiyama restaurant in

Avari Tower Hotel Karachi, The Pakistani in Karachi Sheraton Hotel and Harry’s Place in Royal Abjar Hotel in Dubai. On his arrival in Ireland, Yunus became part of the team that opened the Khyber Tandoori Restaurant in South William Street Dublin

The opening of Kinara in 2001 was a very proud day for Yunus’s family, as they watched him fulfil a personal dream of running his own restaurant with his business partner Sean Collender.

For his part, Collender has always been passionate about food but never imagined he would open an ethnic restaurant with a Pakistani business partner. But good luck and timing resulted in the collaboration and, with Collender’s background in accountancy, they have formed a wonderful partnership.

A keen follower of rugby, Collender was thrilled to have the renowned Irish rugby player Brian O’Driscoll open Kinara in 2001. While Kinara has enjoyed great success over the last twelve years, O’Driscoll continues to set a cracking spiritual pace for the Kinara brand, making waves across the world with his world-class standard of sportsmanship.

Cricket is Yunus’s favourite sport, but if both business partners could be said to bring something different to the Kinara table, they’re also learning from each other as well.

Collender has tried his best to improve his partner’s knowledge of the game -- so much so

Exquisite Halal DiningAll of their chefs source the best produce and only use Halal meats in all three restaurants, a decisionwhich has helped win them a large and enthusiasticfollowing in the Islamic community in Ireland.

Kinara


Kinara Kitchen Located in Ranelagh, since opening its doors in October 2010, Kinara Kitchen has fitted in well in the vibrant foodie-orientated Dublin village. A team of staff headed up by Ranbir Singh and Group Head Barman Paul Lambert are keen to position Kinara Kitchen as one of the top restaurants in Dublin city. Head Chef Monty loves to show off his skills and recently teamed up with Sumayya Jamal of Pukka Pakistani fame from London to cater for over 60 ladies in Kinara Kitchen, an experience which proved to be a great success. A private dinning area/bar will open this summer, which will offer small groups a unique experience of a private roof terrace where guests will be able to enjoy at their leisure a Shisha pipe provided by Kinara Kitchen.

Sean Collender and Shoaib Yunus have always held a very simple objective, to provide a friendly and relaxed atmosphere in stylish surroundings where you can enjoy a consistently good standard of food and service.

that Yunus is now trying to convince the Pakistani community in Ireland to learn rugby, and maybe one day even be part of the scrum in an Irish rugby team.

After all, if the Irish can excel at cricket, anything is possible. “I will never forget the day when Ireland beat Pakistan in a world cup cricket match,” says Yunus ruefully.

Certainly, there are enough Pakistani natives working in the three Kinara restaurants in Dublin to form several excellent teams. Kinara’s friendly and knowledgeable staff are, without doubt, the key ingredient to their maintaining a consistent and loyal customer base. Collender is particularly proud of the low staff turn-over -- many of the employees who came on board in 2001 are still with Kinara today.

Design and décor have also played an important part in all three restaurants. The Kinara brand has worked closely with Niall Daly from Principal Construction Limited in fitting out all of the restaurants to a very high standard. Each restaurant has its own unique look and feel courtesy of John Duffy Design Group (Kajjal and Kinara Kitchen) and Eavan English of EEDI Studio (Kinara).

Private CateringDue to the success of the restaurants, and customers asking for Kinara to provide catering in their own homes, Sean Collender and Shoaib Yunus have set up a dedicated catering wing to Kinara so that they can offer the same high standard that you will find at each restaurant. Our Halal Barbeques during the summer months offer guests a great opportunity to see the tandoor oven, charcoal grills plus our noisy Katakat hot plate in action, much to the delight of waiting customers. KinaraBased in Clontarf with stunning views looking out over Dublin bay, Kinara has welcomed many guests over the last twelve years -- so much so that Kinara’s staff have built up a very friendly relationship with our loyal customers. Renovated in 2011, Kinara offers a private dining room plus private bar area, which can be used for meetings and corporate functions. The man in charge is Kalfan Aziz, who is always on hand to provide you with a genuine welcome and has the support of Head chef Arshad Ansari, who has been with Kinara since its very beginning in 2001.

KajjalOpened in 2007, Kajjal has proven to be a great success and has been warmly welcomed by all the locals of the very picturesque village of Malahide, located close to Dublin airport. Kajjal offers a great lunch selection of freshly cooked food in stylish surroundings, which is popular for corporate lunches. Manager Inder Singh has been in charge since day one, as has Head Chef Rayman Hosser.

Contact:Kinara +353 1 8336759Kajjal +353 1 8061960Kinara Kitchen +353 1 4060066 All event queries please email [email protected]

Islamic Finance


Ireland attracts some of the highest levels of inward investment of any country in the world. Those who have invested include many of the world’s leading financial services, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and technology companies. A combination of a highly educated and flexible workforce and a stable pro-business environment has helped ensure Ireland delivers for investors.

These international groups are establishing headquarter holding company operations. The Irish holding company regime offers capital gains tax exemptions on the disposal of qualifying shareholdings in treaty resident or EU subsidiaries. Furthermore, due to our foreign tax credit regime, typically little or no additional Irish tax arises on dividends received. These offerings, together with the ability to pay interest and dividends without withholding taxes in many cases, have made Ireland an attractive holding company location.

Investors are also using other Irish vehicles for both international and domestic investments. The two most common investment vehicles are:• Securitisation vehicles – Such vehicles are used

for investment in financial assets, commodities and leased plant and machinery. The equity in these vehicles is typically in the form of profit participating notes which results in nominal taxable profits.

KPMG Investment Knowledge

• Qualifying Investor Funds (“QIFs”) – QIFs are lightly regulated entities and can borrow to make investments. They do not pay tax on their profits. Furthermore, payments by the QIF to investors who are not Irish resident or ordinarily resident should be exempt from Irish tax.

Irish companies are also expanding their operations into the Middle East. Over the last few years, stronger links have been created between Ireland and the Middle East. For example, Ireland has introduced legislation to accommodate Islamic Finance transactions and is positioning itself to become a global Islamic Finance centre. Ireland has also signed tax treaties with the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and the Irish regulator has entered into bilateral agreements with regulators in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Dubai.

Countries in the Middle East have their own complexities in relation to business operations, regulations and taxation. KPMG’s international teams in Ireland and the Middle East can help you with your investment plans. Your local point of contact at KPMG in Ireland can advise on the best course of action.

Tom Woods, KPMGon Islamic Banking

Islamic Finance


© 2012 KPMG, an Irish partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. The KPMG name, logo and “cutting through complexity” are registered trademarks of KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.

© 2012 KPMG, an Irish partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. The KPMG name, logo and “cutting through complexity” are registered trademarks of KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.

Knowledge

Whether it is investment into the Middle East or Ireland,

we can help you.

To find out more contact

Tom Woods +353 1 410 2589 or

[email protected]

kpmg.ie

© 2013 KPMG, an Irish partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. The KPMG name, logo and “cutting through complexity” are registered trademarks of KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. (102591)

102591_Islamic_Finance_Advert_A4_March2013.indd 1 12/03/2013 10:11

Food Traceability


Accusations made, contracts cancelled, jobs lost. These are just some of the consequences of the horsemeat scandal currently spreading across Europe. However, the biggest consequence to come out of this may well be the tarnishing of reputations and a breach in consumer confidence, writes Dr. Grainne Redmond. Here she examines the horsemeat scandal as it has unfolded to date and asks whether Ireland’s reputations as a supplier of quality produce is still intact, or if it has been tarnished beyond repair.

The value of Irish food and drink exports in 2012 surpassed €9 billion for the first time, while the strongest performing category was meat and livestock (€3 billion), which increased by €128 million on the previous year (Bord Bia 2013). This equates to one-third of food and drink exports and shows growth running at twice that of total exports. Bord Bia went on to predict that the prospects for the meat and livestock sector in 2013 remain broadly positive. This report was published on 9 January 2013. Just six days later, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) released results from a different survey that would have a catastrophic effect on Europes meat industry and food traceability systems.

What Did Fsai Discover?The FSAI carried out a targeted study examining the authenticity of a number of beef burger, beef meal and salami products available from retail outlets in Ireland. A total of 27 beef burger products were analysed, with 10 of the 27 products (37%) testing positive for horse DNA and 23 (85%) testing positive for pig DNA. In addition, 31 beef meal products (cottage pie, beef curry pie, lasagne, etc) were analysed, 21 of which were positive for pig DNA; all were negative for horse DNA. All 19 salami products analysed tested negative for horse DNA. Traces of horse DNA were also detected in batches of raw ingredients, including some imported from The Netherlands and Spain.

The beef burger products which tested positive for horse DNA were produced by two processing plants (Liffey Meats and Silvercrest Foods) in Ireland and one plant (Dalepak Hambleton) in the UK. They were on sale in Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Aldi and Iceland.

In nine of the ten beef burger samples from these retailers, horse DNA was found at very low levels. However, in one sample from Tesco, the level of horse DNA indicated that horsemeat

accounted for approximately 29 per cent relative to the beef content.

“Whilst there is a plausible explanation for the presence of pig DNA in these products due to the fact that meat from different animals is processed in the same meat plants, there is no clear explanation at this time for the presence of horse DNA in products emanating from meat plants that do not use horsemeat in their production process,” said Prof. Alan Reilly, Chief Executive, FSAI. He added: “In Ireland, it is not in our culture to eat horsemeat and therefore, we do not expect to find it in a burger.”

In the interests of food safety, as part of the survey, the FSAI conducted testing for the presence of phenylbutazone (a veterinary medicine commonly administered to horses; horses treated with this drug are excluded by law from the food chain). All the tests for phenylbutazone were negative.

What About Pigmeat?While the focus of this food traceability scandal is on the equine DNA, the presence of porcine DNA cannot be overlooked. Of the 27 beef burger products analysed 23 (85%) tested positive for pig DNA. In addition, 31 beef meal products (cottage pie, beef curry pie, lasagne, etc) were analysed, of which 21 were positive for pig DNA.

At the start of February 2013, the British Prison Service launched an urgent investigation after a number of Halal meat pies and pasties supplied to jails were found to contain traces of pork DNA. The UK Ministry of Justice suspended a supplier of meat to prisons after discovering that food products may contain traces of non-Halal meat, despite being sourced from a properly Halal-certified supplier.

Speaking on Irish radio, Dr Ali Saleem of the Islamic Cultural Centre, mentioned how it is “very disturbing” that traces of pork were found in halal meat as this was a clear breach of Islamic law.

Food For Thought A review of the horsemeat scandal gripping Europe

Dr. Grainne Redmond

Food Traceability


it will not happen again.As far as Ireland is concerned, “The horsemeat

scandal will not destroy faith in Irish food - as it was us who blew it wide open.” These are the words of Richard Bruton, Ireland’s Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (16 February 2013) who insists that the country would bounce back from this crisis.

“It’s the way you handle these things that is the long-term memory and what is very clear now is that Ireland moved swiftly,” said the Minister. “This is a European-wide problem and it was the Irish system that picked it up. We moved rapidly to deal with it and I think in the longer term it will be seen that it is the higher standards that we demand and expect is what people will have confidence in.

He also stressed how it would be “catastrophic” for a Muslim to consume pork: “For a Muslim, it is equivalent to taking drugs, it is very much forbidden”.

Prof Alan Reilly FSAI concurs with Dr Saleem, stating how for some religious groups or those who abstain from eating pig meat, the presence of traces of pig DNA is unacceptable.

Dr Ali Saleem also mentioned how Irish beef enjoyed a wonderful reputation among Muslims in Britain and Ireland, and how he believed that this crisis would have significant adverse repercussions for the demand for Irish beef products. He added that Irish beef would have to be tested again by the Muslim community’s own agencies responsible for monitoring the halal process.

Now What?The European Commission has asked each member state to put official control plans in place for sampling and testing for the presence of horse DNA in foods marketed and labelled as containing beef. In Ireland, 50 samples of beef products will be taken by the inspectorate between 1 March and 31 March 2013 for the survey. The European Commission has also requested that one sample for every 50 tonnes of horsemeat be tested for the presence of phenylbutazone. All the results of the analysis will be reported to the European Commission by 15 April 2013. The controls are to run for one month initially and may be extended for an additional two months.

The FuturePeople have a right to expect that the food they are eating be correctly described. The loss of public trust in European food manufacturers needs to be restored without delay. Before this scandal, food traceability in Ireland and Europe was thought to be the global gold standard. There are regulations in place at farm, processing and retail level so that ‘farm to fork’ traceability can be assured. The EU’s General Food Law (2002) makes traceability compulsory for all food and feed businesses. With all this regulation in place, one would have thought there was no space for anything to go wrong. However, the food chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and the possibility of someone breaking the law for financial gain is always there.

EU Health and Consumers Commissioner Tonio Borg believes that the EU food traceability system has worked as it was a member state (Ireland) who discovered the fraud and subsequently notified the Commission. It is now coordinating a series of inspections across member states, the results of which will be published as soon as possible. The results of these inspections will, it is hoped, give clearer insights into what went wrong, who was responsible and, crucially, ensure

TIMELINE OF HORSEMEAT SCANDAL7 November 2012: FSAI begins DNA testing beef products and finds 10 of 28 beefburgers contain horsemeat

December: Additional testing confirms that burgers produced at ABP Silvercrest in Monaghan, Liffey Meats in Cavan and Dalepak in UK contain horse DNA but the veterinary medicine Phenylbutazone ‘bute’ is not present.

15 January 2013: FSAI publishes its findings showing a Tesco beef burger product contains 29% horsemeat. Supermarkets in Ireland and Britain recall millions of burgers.

16 January 2013:ABP suspends production at Silvercrest in Monaghan.

31 January 2013:Burger King terminates €30m contract with Silvercrest. Tesco and Asda soon follow suit.

5 February 2013: The Dept of Agriculture in Ireland reveals a meat ingredient found at Rangeland Foods in Co Monaghan contains 75% horse, while UK authorities confirm meat stored at Freeza Meats in Newry is 80% horse.

7 February 2013:Findus withdraws beef lasagnes containing up to 100% horsemeat from supermarkets in Britain and Ireland.

8 February 2013:Tesco and Aldi withdraw ready-meals supplied by the French company Comigel which also supplied Findus. Sweden also withdraws Findus lasagnes.

12 February 2013:UK authorities raid a slaughterhouse in Yorkshire and Farmhouse Meats in Wales over suspected horsemeat use. Arrests follow.

13 February 2013:A German supermarket withdraws lasagnes and beefburgers. The EU commission announces Europe-wide DNA testing of beef products and bute along with Europol criminal investigation.

14 February 2013:Rangeland withdraws 9,000 burgers supplied to the catering trade in Ireland, UK and Europe which are found to contain up to 30% horsemeat.

25 February 2013:EU approves new testing regime.March 4: FSAI Publishes Results of Industry Tests for Horsemeat.

Reference

Food Safety Authority Ireland (http://www.fsai.ie/enforcement_audit/horse_meat.html) Authors’ Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information given in this article is correct at the time of publication. The author assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information contained in this article.

Ryanair Morocco


Ryanair, have opened two new bases in Morocco in 2013, at Fez (No 56) and Marrakech (No 57) with a total of three based-aircraft, as Ryanair invests over $210 million in Morocco. Ryanair also announced two new Moroccan airports, at Essaouira and Rabat as it grows its operations in Morocco in 2013 to 60 routes and 8 airports, which will deliver up to 2.5m passenger p.a. and support 2,500* “on-site” jobs in Morocco.

Ryanair will grow in Morocco in 2013 following the opening of Fez (new base) with 15 routes and with 4 new routes to Lille, Nantes, Nimes & St Etienne, Ryanair will carry 600,000 passengers per year and create 600 new jobs on site. While in the Marrakech new base Ryanair will have 22 routes and 7 new routes to Baden, Bergerac, Cuneo (Italy), Dole (France), Munich, Paris (Vatry) & Tours and Ryanair estimate to carry 1m passengers per year and will create 1,000 “on site” jobs.

Ryanair have also created to new routes form, Essaouira a new Airport with flights to Brussels and Marseille and 3 new routes from Rabat a new Airport to Brussels, Marseille and Paris.

According to Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara “Ryanair is delighted to announce our first 2 bases in Morocco at Fez (No 56) and Marrakech (No 57) and to launch 2 new Morocco airports at Essaouira and Rabat, with flights starting in April.

Dr. Lahcen Haddad, Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Morocco said:

“The Moroccan tourism sector is very proud of the confidence Ryanair is showing in the

RyanairFirst Non-EU Bases Announced - Fez & Marrakech

capacity of the Moroccan destination to grow and develop to become a leading market in the Mediterranean region. This long-term commitment, as shown in the implementation of two bases in Fez and Marrakesh, and the opening of two new destinations (Essaouira and Rabat), is the first stage of a comprehensive strategy aiming, for Ryanair, to build a profitable business based on the huge growth potential of Moroccan tourism, as planned within the framework of Vision 2020. The Moroccan Ministry of tourism

Ryanair in Morocco will fly to 60 destinations carrying 2.5m passengers per year creating 2,500 jobs.

is convinced that an efficient growth strategy can only succeed if it takes into consideration the emergence of new tourism products, the need for an adequate air service as well as for an efficient marketing activity. Through MNTO, we will strengthen our marketing efforts in the main source markets at which Ryanair will increase its air services to Morocco.”

Ryanair has also announced on an agreement with the Boeing Company to purchase 175 new Next Generation 737-800 airplanes. When finalized, the deal will be worth nearly $15.6 billion at current list prices, and will allow Ryanair to grow its airline to more than 400 airplanes, serving more than 100 million passengers per year across Europe by the end of the delivery stream in 2018.

The agreement was signed by Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary and Boeing Commercial Airplanes President CEO Ray Conner in New York on 19 March 2013.

Aviation Expo


6 companies on first Irish aviation pavilion in the region:

• Largest aircraft interiors and MRO show in Middle East/ Africa region, with technical/engineering decision makers inside many regional carriers present (UAE, KSA, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt etc)

• Irish aviation networking event hosted by Enterprise Ireland and HE Ambassador Ciaran Madden

Background sector briefingMaintenance, Repair and Overall (MRO) servicing is the backbone of Ireland’s aviation capability for the past 50 years. Ireland has a global reputation for world class technical engineering and training for the aerospace sector, which is underpinned by quality, flexibility and competitiveness. Indeed Team Air Lingus left a great legacy and there are several centres of excellence in Ireland, particularly in Shannon region where large aerospace multinationals and indigenous Irish companies develop innovative solutions for the industry. Companies such as Dublin Aerospace and Eirtech Aviation are testament to the collective experience in the sector in Ireland. Both these companies, along with many more, are active across Middle East markets to grow international business from their Irish hubs.

Ireland boasts a list of firsts for aviation... first for aircraft leasing with Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA)… pioneers of successful low cost flying model with Ryanair…. First airport retail operation with Aer Rianta (who went on to expand the model to the Middle East, particularly at Dubai Duty Free)… Ireland chosen as home for the management of International Registry of Mobile Assets (Aviareto)… and half of the world’s leased aircraft fleet is managed from Ireland… Nine of the world’s 10 largest aircraft leasing companies are located in Ireland,

Irish Flying High at Aircraft MRO Exhibition in Dubai

Irish pavilion at Aircraft Interiors and MRO Middle East Exhibition

with over 30 similar companies in operation in the country…. According to a survey conduced by the Federation of Aerospace Enterprises in Ireland, aviation leasing companies in the country now manage assets worth €82.9bn.

The Middle East is a priority market for development within aviation sector for Enterprise Ireland companies. Enterprise Ireland is working closely with over 35 Irish companies who are currently active selling solutions to airlines, airports and maintenance facilities in Middle East from a range of sub sectors such as MRO technical engineering, aircraft interior suppliers, technology for inventory management, documentation and operations, technology for travel retail and ancillary revenue, financial services and payment processing, aviation recruitment, training and talent management.

Core supports include taking Irish pavilion at both Aircraft Interiors and MRO show in January and Arabian Travel Market in May 2013 (travel technology) and focused inward buyer delegations from Middle East aviation targets to meet with Irish suppliers. We are also looking at possibilities to support companies to visit the Gulf market around the time of the Dubai Air Show in November 2013, which is dovetailed with Gulf Aviation Training Event (GATE), a key target for Irish aviation recruitment and training specialists.

Contact:Anthony Cahill Market Adviser- Financial Services and AerospaceEnterprise IrelandMiddle East, North Africa4th Floor, The H Dubai Office Tower, 1 Sheikh Zayed Rd, P.O. Box 115425, Dubai, UAE +971 4 3760 405 www.enterprise-ireland.com

ASD’s Dave Browne meeting His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum

XclusiveYachts Advertisement


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Xclusive Yachts

The Irish Village


THE world’s top eight darts players are to visit Dubai this year for the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters, which will be played from 23-24 May at the Dubai Tennis Stadium as the first leg of the PDC’s World Series of Darts.

Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, the reigning and 16-time World Champion, will head the field of eight players who will compete in the knockout event, the first-ever professional darts tournament to be held in Dubai.

Taylor will be joined by seven world-class rivals in competing in the two-day event at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.

Commenting on the upcoming event, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free said: “This is the first time that a professional darts tournament has been staged in Dubai and the first time that darts will be played

in an outdoor arena. We think that this sport, which is growing in popularity across the world, will be a good addition to Dubai’s busy sports and social calendar.”

Two-time World Champion Adrian Lewis, the world number two, is joined by seven-time major title winner James Wade, World Grand Prix champion Michael van Gerwen, European Champion Simon Whitlock, two-time major finalists Andy Hamilton and Wes Newton and five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld in challenging for the title.

The players will initially compete in four knockout quarter-final matches on Thursday 23 May, before the semi-finals and final are held on Friday 24 May to determine the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters champion.

“The Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters is an

World’s top eight set to launch the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters

The Irish Village


exciting event and I’m delighted that we’ll be coming to Dubai in May,” said Taylor.

“I’ve never had the chance to play there before so it’s great for me and the other players that we’ll be able to play for such a great title.

“The sport’s growing around the world and it’s a great chance for fans in both Dubai and from across the Middle East to see a live event, and hopefully this will be the seed for the tournament to grow in the coming years.”

With players from 21 countries having competed recently in the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship and 24 nations taking part in February’s Betfair World Cup of Darts, the PDC sees the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters as an important stepping-stone in the sport’s worldwide growth.

“Darts is already a hugely popular sport in both Dubai and across the Middle East due to the live television coverage of our events on OSN, but it’s a very positive development to be staging the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters,” said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

“Darts fans in Dubai will now get to see the best players in darts in the flesh for the first time in May and this tournament will give them the chance to experience a full PDC event live.

“Our aim is that the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters will be the inaugural tournament in a World Series of Darts which will see our top players taking the sport around the world, and our negotiations are continuing to turn this

vision into a reality.”The event, which is sponsored by Dubai Duty

Free and was brokered by One Events and Radar, will be shown live across the Middle East on Dubai Sports and through OSN, with further live coverage to be confirmed.

One-day tickets for the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters will be sold at AED199, with early bird season tickets to cover both days sold at AED299. VIP Tickets (front two rows) will be sold as season tickets at AED495. Tickets will be sold through Irish Village (www.irishvillage.ae) and Timeout Tickets (www.itp.net/tickets).

Corporate Hospitality tables, which include all Food and Beverages, will also be sold through One Events (www.1uae.ae) or Radar (www.radar-world.com)

Holiday Packages to Dubai, which include flight, hotel and tickets to the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters, are available through Expat Holidays (www.expatsport.com).

For Media Enquiries, please contact:Professional Darts Corporation David Allen – Media Manager Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 1277 359 919

One EventsCraig Mather – Managing DirectorEmail. [email protected] Todd – Commercial DirectorEmail [email protected] Tel: +971 558 946902 Radar Max Palethorpe – Managing Partner Email: [email protected]: +97 156 113 4626

Dave Cattanach Irish Village, Sinead El-Sibai and Colm McLoughlin Dubai Duty Free, Phil Taylor, Salah Tahlak Senior Vice President - Corporate Communications Dubai Duty Free and PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

Phil Taylor with The Irish Village Team

Food


Bord Bia and Irish food companies lead the largest presence from Ireland to date at Gulfood in the United Arab Emirates. Sixteen Irish companies participated at the exhibition-the largest and most important food event in the Middle East with over 70,000 visitors from more than 150 countries.

Gulfood provided an opportunity for Bord Bia and participating Irish food companies to identify new business opportunities in the Middle East. Irish food and beverage exports to Saudi Arabia, our largest market in the region, are valued in excess of €100m with the United Arab Emirates adding a further €30m, primarily from high-end retail and foodservice sectors. Participation at Gulfood assisted in delivering continued growth of Irish food and beverage exports to the region, particularly following market access successes for Irish meat in the second half of 2012.

Bord Bia and Irish food companies are continuing to leverage participation at Gulfood to raise the profile of Ireland

as a source of high quality food and drinks and to build awareness of Origin Green. The Ireland stand at Gulfood was branded Origin Green and meetings with customers provided an opportunity to highlight Ireland’s sustainability credentials with a view to enhancing customer relationships and supporting broader Origin Green initiatives.www.bordbia.ie

Flying the Flag at Gulfood

HE Ambassador Madden, Bord Bia CEO Mr Aidan Cotter greeting members of the Dubai Royal Family at the Irish Pavilion at Gulfood.

Taoiseach Mr. Enda Kenny T.D. Launching Origin Green brand.

Enterprise Ireland Financial Services Seminar


Director on the main board accountable for all of the ABSA Commercial Bank, Infrastructure and IT.

Bruce MacLaren – AfricaBruce has been in the ICT industry for over 40 years. He spent 22 years at IBM from 1975 in various sales, management and executive positions, primarily focused on Financial Services sector. In this period, he achieved 17 Hundred Percent Annual Sales Clubs in succession, as well as 6 Golden Circles, which were the epitome of sales achievement in IBM globally. Thereafter from 1997 to 1999, Bruce was Group Sales Director in the Nedbank / Old Mutual / Dimension Data Joint Venture, OmniLink, a Virtual Private Network company. From 2000 to 2001, Bruce was Group Sales Director at diversified ICT company, Computer Configurations Holdings. In 2002 Bruce joined Nedbank, from where he retired in 2011.

John Murphy – AfricaJohn is an independent consultant based in Johannesburg, South Africa with specific focus on the Financial Services industry in South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa. John has spent the last 30 years in South Africa, having spent the first 25 in Dublin.

John is a Chartered Accountant, qualified both in Ireland and South Africa, an economics and Social Sciences graduate of Trinity College Dublin and has a Diploma in Management from Henley Management College, London.

Oke Kehinde Afolabi – Nigeria Oke is Executive Director of Global Infoswift Limited in Nigeria, one of the fastest growing Information technology companies in Africa, based in Lagos Nigeria.

Seminar SpeakersPatrick Thiriet – Dubai (Middle East perspective)Patrick is currently Advisor to the Board of BNP Paribas Wealth Management (DIFC) Ltd in Dubai, a subsidiary of BNP Paribas (Suisse) that he incorporated in 2011 as the new hub for BNPP’s Private Banking activities in the Middle East.

Patrick addressed the Wealth Management landscape in Middle East characteristics, trends, asset breakdown, Family Offices, Sovereign Wealth Funds, High Net Worth Families etc.

Patrick Moynagh – Saudi ArabiaPatrick has worked as an economic adviser with the Saudi Arabian Central Bank (Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency) since 2010, working on the development of the Arabian Payments Systems for card and electronic payments and developing the payments strategy for cad payments in Kingdom and across the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC).Patrick outlined the scale, market dimensions and dynamics of the Saudi Banking sector and provided insight into areas of growth, and therefore opportunity, for the right companies.

Derek O’Herlihy – Saudi ArabiaDerek O’Herlihy is currently Head of Enterprise Program Office for Arab National Bank and CIO for ANB Investment Bank in Saudi Arabia. He has previously been IT Director for TD Invest (Europe) and IT Director, European Branches at Credit Suisse First Boston.

Derek offered a practical insight and guidance on the realities of entering the lucrative Saudi Arabian market, including barriers and pitfalls to be aware of. As part of this, he touched on the local procurement and deal negotiation process and the role of local partners & agents, including details of key buyers, vendors and technology priorities inside the Kingdom.

Willem van Biljon – AfricaWillem has written or co-authored a number of publications in the ICT field and, being the good entrepreneur that he is, has registered a number of patents.

Dr Alewyn Burger - Africa Dr Alewyn Burger started his career in banking in 1979, spending 33 years at the South African United Building Society, which ultimately became part of ABSA Bank. At various times and by various criteria ABSA has been the biggest bank in SA. He progressed through the ranks, ultimately to Group Executive

Seminar on Financial Service OpportunitiesConfirmed industry experts from Africa, Saudi Arabia & United Arab Emirates delivered presentations and took part in a panel discussion with clients in the Enterprise Ireland Offices in Dublin in April 2013.

Turkish Airlines


The airline, which currently operates to 28 destinations in the region, has enjoyed good tourist traffic from the Middle East over the last three years and is now keen to introduce new destinations in Turkey to tourists from Middle east region.

“We are very focused on developing this tourist flow as Turkey shares similarities in traditions, cuisine and origin with the Middle Eastern countries. Turkey’s spectacular cultural blend of Eastern and Western influences and cultural linkages with the Middle East make the country a popular destination amongst GCC tourists.

“With Istanbul less than five hours away from the Gulf Region, and the country offering access to winter sports for almost half the year, we are confident passenger number will increase with the launch of our new ‘Winter in Turkey’ campaign.” The ‘Turkey in Winter’ highlights the country’s seasonal offering, as a playground for exhilarating sports with over 20 skiing destinations, as well as the enriching cultural experiences in Istanbul and historical cities, delectable culinary delights and stunning natural scenery.

Middle East (31)Abu Dhabi (AUH), Aden (ADE), Al Aqabah (AQJ), Aleppo (ALP), Amman (AMM), Baghdad (BGW), Bahrain (BAH), Basra (BSR), Beirut (BEY), Doha (DOH), Dubai (DXB), Damascus (DAM), Dammam (DMM), Erbil (EBL), Isfahan (IFN), Jeddah (JED), Kermanshah (KSH), Kuwait (KWI), Medina (MED), Muscat (MCT), Mashad (MHD), Mosul (OSM), Najaf (NJF), Riyadh (RUH), Sanaa (SAA), Shiraz (SYZ), Suleymaniyah (ISU), Taif (TIF), Tehran (THR), Tabriz (TBZ), Tel Aviv (TLV), Yanbu (YNB).

Baggage Allowance Turkish Airlines fares include a free baggage allowance; this will differ according to which class of travel and ticket type chosen. If you need to carry additional baggage, this can be placed in the hold but you will be charged.

Turkish Airlines expands Middle East presence Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier of Turkey, will “fly to 31 destinations in the Middle East’’

Hand Baggage. One bag is permitted, not exceeding 8kg weight or 23 x 40 x 55cm. Hand baggage must be tagged with an official label, which may be obtained from a member of staff at check in or at the gate, or passengers will not be allowed to board the plane. Turkish Airlines Free baggage allowance ranges from domestic flights 20kg for short haul economy passenger to International flights 23kg between 32kg for long haul passengers. One carry-on bag is permitted weighing no more than 8kg on Turkish Airlines flights.

Special Luggage:Turkish Airlines do carry pets; the animals must have all documentation required from country of origin and destination. Animals must travel in standard boxes of 45 x 35 x 23 cm and cannot weigh more than 6kg in order to travel in the cabin. Animals which require larger transport options must travel in the hold of the aircraft.

North AfricaTurkish Airlines, is now flying to over 30 African destinations, including Casablanca, Tunis and Cairo in Northern Africa, Dakar, Lagos and Kilimanjaro, and to Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa. Return flights from Dublin to Istanbul are currently on offer from only €179 return. Turkish Airlines will be adding no less than 40 new international routes to its network in 2013 and new aircraft deliveries will include 15 B777s.



Kentz continued success in SaudiAl-Khobar, 11 April 2013 - Kentz Engineering International Co. Ltd (KEIL), alongside its partners Ali Khudair Al-Harbi and Ahmed Omar Radi Engineering Consultancy (RGC) have been awarded a further technical services contract by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As with the related award in December 2012, Kentz will execute this contract through its Technical Support Services (TSS) business unit.

The latest contract is to provide energy and communications systems for Jubail-II, including its residential districts. This contract, which lasts for five years, includes design and engineering works for electricity and communication facilities for King Fahd Industrial Port and Jubail Commercial Port.

Work on the first contract involved the planning, design and complete engineering services for the preparation of primary and secondary infrastructure of residential community, industrial, park and shoreline developments. This included design and engineering services for major facilities and systems such as highways, roads, bridges and interchanges, seawater pipelines, potable and irrigation pump stations, telecom and underground electrical distribution systems.

The work also involved changes to and/or additions to existing facilities, as well as undertaking studies and reports on specific engineering problems and issues. In addition, the preparation of complete construction bid packages, including engineering services in support of existing construction activities, as required by the Royal Commission.

The Royal Commission emphasised the role of the twin industrial cities of Jubail and Yanbu in boosting the Kingdom’s economy and improving the quality of life for Saudi people.

Seamus Malynn, Global Manager, Technical Support Services for Kentz, commented: “Kentz has been operating in Saudi Arabia now for over 35 years and is pleased to be involved in key projects such as these. The award of these contracts underpins our commitment to the growth of our business in the Middle East region, through supporting key clients, building on existing relationships and consistent delivery.”

The New UAE Embassy in Dublin.uAE established its Embassy in Ireland in February 2010 and in late 2012 Ambassador: H. E: Mr. Khalid nasser Rashed Lootah and Second Secretary: Mr. Mohammed Hmoud Al Shamsi oversaw a move to a new state of the art premises on Pembroke Road in Dublin 4. To mark this occasion, the AICC presented His Excellency with a painting by Philip Childs of an Irish Stag.

The friendly bilateral relations between The uAE and Ireland have witnessed mature partnerships in different sectors. There has been very successful collaboration between the uAE and Ireland on a wide range of strategic matters, particularly in the areas of education and trade. There is still considerable opportunity for further collaboration between the two countries. There too, is also vast potential for effective and strategic partnerships.The Embassy of the united Arab Emirates feels immense pleasure in welcoming the friendly people of Ireland as well as other residents living in this beautiful country to visit the uAE, on a pleasure or business trip or wish to pursue their studies, in higher education at the campuses of the world known International universities established in different Emirates of uAE.The Embassy can be contacted on:45-47 Pembroke Road Dublin 4, Tel: +35316600000, Fax: +35312375920

AIJ News

The UAE Academy of the Abu Dhabi Chamber and PwC Academy Launch Mini-Master’s Programme in the UAEFor the first time in the region, the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s uAE Academy and PwC, the leading professional service provider, have recently launched a unique Mini MBA in the uAE. Set to commence on the 20th of April 2013 through the PwC’s Academy, the Programme is the ideal solution for professionals, businessmen and entrepreneurs seeking the knowledge and skills gained from traditional MBA programmes, without being under pressure due to extensive time and cost obligations. Both the uAE Academy and PwC have sought the assistance of professionals from the PwC’s international network, making use of its leading international position in the field of professional services.

The Mini MBA Programme instructors in the uAE possess in-depth understanding of the complexities of modern organisations and have experience in leadership positions, subject expertise, and knowledge of the local and global business environment.

Rolling out the Programme has come posterior to the PwC 15th Annual CEO survey revealing that 63 per cent of CEOs based in the Middle East see the shortage of talents as potential risks to the growth of their businesses, and that 33 per cent have placed talent development as their top priority. Thus, the PwC Academy has incorporated the insights acquired from working with firms from all over the globe into the Mini MBA Programme.

Joe Geoghegan Chairman AICC and Ahmad Younis CEO AICC present H.E. Ambassador Lootah with gift on the opening of the New UAE Embassy.

New UAE Emabssy Pembroke Road, Dublin 4.

Global Sport


Wakeboarding, from Ireland to the GulfThere are an estimated 30million active water skiers and wakeboardersglobally and the sport has been shortlisted for the2020 Olympic Games.

It’s not surprising that Wakeboarding is a growing sport in the UAE and other Arab countries such as Qatar given their hot climates. However, with the inclement Irish weather, one could assume that wakeboarding is not a popular sport in Ireland. That assumption would be incorrect!

Wakeboarding is a surface water sport derived from a combination of waterskiing, snowboarding and surfing. It involves the wakeboarder being towed behind a specially designed speedboat at speeds of 20 to 25 miles per hour. The rider uses the wake of the boat to perform flips, spins and combinations of both. There are an estimated 30 million active water skiers and wakeboarders globally and the sport has been shortlisted for the 2020 Olympic Games.

Wakeboarding has been growing rapidly in Ireland over the past ten to fifteen years with about 16 clubs throughout the island. There are

also thousands of people who ride for fun on their own boats on the numerous lakes and rivers in both Northern Ireland and the Republic.

The Arab-Irish Journal caught up with David O’Caoimh (19), Ireland’s top Pro wakeboarder, who is ranked in the top 20 in the World, and asked him how he got into the sport and about practising in the cold Irish climate compared to the Gulf.

“Well, my parents were windsurfers and we had a holiday home on a lake but there was never very much wind so they turned to waterskiing. I started that at the age of five and then switched to wakeboarding when I was ten. I was hooked from day one as it’s such an exhilarating sport. I’m also very lucky in that I am sponsored by top global companies like Billabong, O’Brien Wakeboards USA and Monster Energy, and this helps fund my travel.

Global Sport


“In terms of riding in Ireland, I guess the main difference between here and places like Qatar, where I competed at the Wakeboard World Championships a few years ago, is the sunshine! In Ireland I have to wear a wetsuit almost all year round, and in the winter I sometimes have to crack ice on Lough Sillan in Cavan where I train. That’s why I love to spend as much time training overseas as I can. Usually I like to train in South Africa, Florida and Spain but it’s hard to get the time while I’m at university. On the plus side for Ireland’s climate, I usually cross train on an outdoor trampoline, with a rope tied to a tree, and it would be more difficult to do that in 40 degree heat!”

O’Caoimh, from Killiney in Dublin, has certainly left his mark on the international wakeboarding scene this season, taking many medals, including Gold at the Europe/Africa Championships in South Africa, Gold at Chill and Ride in Germany, Bronze at the US Wake Games and 5th at the World Cup in Australia, as well as defending his national title at home. We asked him about wakeboarding in the Gulf. “I’ve only had the opportunity to ride in Qatar and that was fantastic – flat water and plenty of sun. I have been to Bahrain but there was no wakeboarding there at the time, although there are a couple of wakeboard clubs there now. There’s also a club in Dubai, and there are many people with their own boats too. I believe that the first Middle East Wakeboard Championships were held this year in Lebanon and ten countries competed! Also, I gather that there are Mastercraft boat dealers in Qatar, Dubai and Lebanon so that should ensure further growth of the sport in the region. However, while I am primarily a boat rider, cable wakeboarding is growing really fast in the Gulf. Cable wakeboarding involves being pulled around a lake by a cable (as opposed to a boat) and using the pull of the cable to do air tricks. There are also usually obstacles at these cable parks – a bit like you see in skateboard parks. There are two cable parks in Iran, I believe and just recently the Al Forsan international Sports Resort in Abu Dhabi hosted the World Cable Championships and they have signed an agreement to host this event for the next two years too. Apparently, it’s an absolutely amazing facility with two cables and supposed to be the best in the world and I’d love to visit it to ride sometime.”

On cables in Ireland:“Unfortunately we don’t yet have any wakeboard cable in Ireland, despite the fact that there are zillions in Europe. Germany alone has over 60 cable parks! However, the good news is that we will have our first cable here next Spring. It will be located in the Dublin Docklands and that should really open up the sport to many more people.”

For further information on Al Forsan in Abu Dhabi check out http://www.alforsan.com/eng/watersports/watersports-center.html and for information on where to wakeboard in Ireland http://www.irishwwf.ie/ or to follow David check out his website, www.davidocaoimh.com

The Arab Irish Journal IDA News


IDA NewsTaoiseach announces that McAfee is to establish a Global R&D Centre of Excellence in Cork with the creation of up to 60 new jobsMarch 2013 Cork, Ireland/Santa Clara, California – An Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny TD, met with McAfee, the world’s largest dedicated security company, to announce the company’s establishment of a worldwide Centre of Excellence for Enterprise Security Solutions in Cork with the creation of up to 60 new high quality jobs. The investment is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, through IDA Ireland.

The group is being established as a dedicated engineering team to provide fast, efficient engineering responses to sales opportunities for the company. Within this group McAfee will create a number of small specialised engineering teams in Cork that will be responsible for designing and building new features for its key enterprise customers. These newly formed Scrum teams will interact directly with global customers to design and deliver multiple releases per year across its security portfolio. McAfee will be looking for software engineers (Java & C++) that are dynamic and passionate about software development and have secure software development principles. Recruitment details can be found at www.insidemcafee.com.

“Choosing Ireland as our European headquarters gives us an ideal base of operations to do business with the members of the European union and the countries of the Middle East. Ireland has a favourable demographic and a quality education system that ensures a plentiful supply of highly qualified people with excellent technical, language and customer service capabilities.“

Mike DeCesar, McAfee Co-President

IDA welcomes decision by Novartis to establish Business Services Centre in DublinBarry O’Leary, CEO at IDA Ireland said: “We welcome the decision by novartis, a key strategic IDA client, to establish a Business Services Centre at their novartis Beech Hill Campus in Dublin.”

novartis is the world’s second largest pharmaceutical company and has significant existing operations in Ireland. nine of the top ten global and 25 of the top 50 global pharmaceutical companies have operations in Ireland - predominantly involved in

development and manufacturing (D+M).IDA Ireland has already attracted a number of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies to establish business services centres in

Ireland - these include - Pfizer, Merck, Lilly, Gilead, Aspen, Shire and Allergan.Growing the number of IDA client companies that choose Ireland as a location for their business services centres is a key objective

within the IDA’s Horizon 2020 strategy.IDA Ireland, as well as the wider Government, is committed to creating and maintaining the conditions necessary for companies like

novartis to develop their operations in Ireland.This announcement this month is the second from a leading Swiss

company in recent weeks. Zurich Insurance announced they were to create 112 jobs in a cyber-security centre in Dublin.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny together with Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation announce that Nypro is to establish a Medical Device Manufacturing facility in Waterford with the creation of over 200 new jobsWaterford - Taoiseach Enda Kenny together with Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, announced that nypro Healthcare is to establish an additional state of the art medical device manufacturing facility in Ireland. This newly established facility in Waterford will result in the creation of over 200 new high quality jobs in phase 1 which is expected to increase in subsequent years. The investment is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland.

nypro’s new facility will manufacture advanced respiratory and injectable devices for global healthcare and pharmaceutical customers. Among the new positions to becreated are healthcare automation engineers and technicians, healthcare quality engineers and technicians, operations managers, program managers, team leaders and operators. Recruitment has commenced and applications can be made through [email protected]

“nypro Healthcare, a recognised leader in the development and manufacture of complex drug delivery and diagnostic devices, is delighted to announce the addition of a new facility in Ireland in Waterford.”

James O’ Gorman, Vice President, Drug Delivery and Diagnostics of Nypro Healthcare

The Arab Irish Journal IDA News


Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD announces that Zurich is to establish two IT Hubs in Dublin with the creation of 112 new high quality jobsDublin, March 2013 – Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, today announced that Zurich Insurance Group, a leading global insurer, is to establish two IT hubs in Dublin with the creation of 112 new hi-tech, high-value jobs. The IT hubs represent an exciting and innovative approach to IT service management and security for Zurich in Europe and globally. The investment is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland. The two new IT hubs will provide services to the Zurich businesses globally and in Europe. One hub will support Zurich’s IT service management and the other will support Cyber Security Management. Recruitment has already commenced for graduates, senior specialists and management positions covering a wide range of areas from change management to cyber analysts to disaster recovery specialists.

“Robust IT systems are critical to facilitating fast business decisions and speedy customer delivery. By establishing these hubs we at Zurich can significantly upgrade our IT capabilities and deliver ‘round the clock security monitoring of our IT assets globally. We highly appreciate the support that we receive from IDA Ireland for this project.’’

Patrick Manley, CEO of Zurich’s General Insurance Europe

Yahoo! Announces Expansion Plans in Dublin Company to add more than 200 jobs at its Dublin Operations CentreMarch 2013 - Yahoo! will announce expansion plans for its Dublin Operations Centre, adding more than 200 new employees in the next 12 months. The company has already started recruiting for customer support, technology, operations, HR and finance which will support Yahoo!’s business across the Europe, Middle Eastern and Africa (EMEA) region.

For the past decade, Dublin has been a great home for Yahoo!, with its talented international workforce, strong business environment and sophisticated technology infrastructure. Yahoo! opened its doors in Dublin in 2003, and what started as a small team has already grown into a multilingual and multicultural workforce today.

The Dublin team provides world-class customer care, technical and operational support, and finance-related services for the entire EMEA region.

Senior Yahoo! executives met with both An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, as part of Ireland’s Industrial Development Agency (IDA) investment missions in the past year.

“At Yahoo!, we’re all about making people’s daily habits inspiring and entertaining, and our team in Dublin helps make this happen everyday. It’s the face of Yahoo! for millions of users and advertisers throughout EMEA,” said Christophe Parcot, VP and head of EMEA. “We’re keenly focused on recruiting and developing the best talent in the industry, and there is significant opportunity at Yahoo! for the right individuals who want to grow their careers with a global digital brand.”

“At Yahoo!, we’re all about making people’s daily habits inspiring and entertaining, and our team in Dublin helps make this happen everyday. It’s the face of Yahoo! for millions of users and advertisers throughout EMEA.“

Christophe Parcot, Yahoo! VP and Head of EMEA.

eBay Inc. Announces Creation of 450 New Jobs in DundalkDundalk, February 2013 – An Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny T.D., together with Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mr. Richard Bruton T.D., announced 450 high quality new jobs by eBay, Inc., the world’s leading provider of online marketplaces and payment services. Based at an Operations Centre in Dundalk, this is supported by Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland.

The new jobs will help provide the growing European customer base of the company’s eBay Marketplaces and PayPal businesses with an enhanced experience in the areas of customer services, sales and compliance. The new positions, which are in addition to 1,000 new jobs announced by PayPal last year, are located within its Customer Services team and also based at the Dundalk facility.

“eBay’s continued commitment to its customers is underlined through this investment in customer services team members fulfilling a variety of roles to make eBay an even better place to shop and sell. Ireland is a centre of excellence for our Global Customer Experience function and the country provides a highly-skilled workforce for eBay with the required technical and language skills, an attractive research environment and proven track record on delivery.”

Gary Hagel, Senior Director, eBay Customer Experience, UK, Ireland and Rest of Europe

Book Review


DROGHEDA: IT’S PLACE IN IRELAND’S HISTORY

Drogheda is a modern Irish town, located some 50km north of the capital Dublin, on the banks of the river Boyne. These facts are probably known by most people who ever heard of Drogheda because of it being the site for ‘The Battle OF the Boyne’ between King James and King William of Orange in 1690. What this superb narrative gives its reader is a true picture of its cause, the background, the events as they happened on the lead up to the battle, the event itself , with eye witness account, and the aftermath. Did you know that “Even the pope of the time took a keen interest in this goings on and was a firm supporter of King William”?

This fabulous voluminous work will engage you from the outset, and by the time you have completed this journey through Irish History, it will be surprising if you haven’t learnt something new, have a better perspective of the history of a nation through ‘Ireland’s Time‘ from prehistory, Tara, Newgrange, Dowth, Knowth, The Roman Settlement at Loughshinney, onwards! Storytelling at its best, the way history should be told, St Patrick, the Roman Church and its structure, influence, and power in society through 1600 years.

Drogheda received its town charter in 1194, thus in 1994 it celebrated its 800th anniversary. In 2012 Drogheda celebrated its CORPORATE STATUS, 600 years on. The town had become divided over the years with the Boyne’s waters acting as the line of demarcation. United in 1412, it became the first Town in Ireland to be granted ‘CORPORATE STATUS’ thus making it a separate legal entity with latitude to pass laws, enter into legal contracts, levy tolls , empowered those in the town council. The different goings on in the town council is explored, politics is politics yet here the narrator goes that extra investigative step to put a foundation under

Written by Ted Greene. Published by Ted Greene.

every important event and people at large be they individuals or groups, political, religious or social.

Book Review


First published in 2006, second edition published 2011, by Ted Greene, Tel ; +353 419 810005, email, [email protected] Contact Ted to purchase publication.

You get a sense of reality as you ingest this intoxicating work, vivid pictures are released, many times with eyewitness accounts from the time, including William of Orange at the Banks of the Boyne, the famine times [there have been several famines in Ireland during the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries caused by such factors as ‘severe prolonged weather events’, crop failure, Cromwell and others who decimated people, animals, and the vegetation of the island being the other], particularly the Great Famine, as well as the various insurrections, the 1916 rising and the war of Independence, the resulting civil war.

The author interviewed many of those born in the early decades of the 20th century who have given living accounts of events and living conditions of the day. These gems along with the many historic accounts are neatly woven into this narrative to give a sense of society, of social order, of decadence, of opulence, decay, hunger, and absolute penury.

The “Three Portentous Milestones” which had Drogheda at their centres, were indeed just so. The ”Siege of Drogheda” began on the 21 November 1641, ended 105 days later on the 5 March 1642. Most certainly a portent of things to come with the “Londonderry Siege“ to happen 47 years later, last 105 days, exactly the same duration as the “Drogheda Siege”- a truly amazing coincidence, all those years ago. The success of the defenders of Drogheda has had a far greater significance in Irish history than it is credited with. That event, Cromwell’s arrival in 1649, his demonic savagery, to be followed by “The Battle of the Boyne” in 1690 were to have far reaching effects in Ireland and throughout Europe for the centuries that followed.

There are a multitude of persons entwined in the narrative, of course. The ease with which you are transported to get a grasp of these extraordinary characters, contributors and creators of our history, is simply sublime.

This book deserves your attention and time if you have any interest in History as a general rule, but particularly if you want to get a sense of ”Ireland” down through the millennia. It is an engaging perspective, thoroughly researched with a brilliant narrative style. There is plenty of scope to criticize, if one so wished, but it is ill-deserved. Perhaps the one quibble one might have is the lack of maps of the town as it evolved over the centuries and its hinterland.

An appropriate appreciation for this tumultuous works to the author would be to award him “The Freedom of the Town of Drogheda”.

Trade and Commerce


Trade & Commerce

In our two previous issues we have provided information and statistics on the solid and strong growth of trade and commerce between Ireland and the Arab states on a country by country basis. We have also included economic summaries for each country, as well as other pertinent facts, so that if you are unfamiliar with these markets, you get a sense of size, population and the socio-economic make up of the individual states.

In this issue we include extracts from the Arab

Strong growth in Arab-Irish trade

Irish Chamber’s recently published economic report [the complete version is available online at www.aicc.ie]. These are provided to give you an overview of the scale of opportunities available in some of these countries.

If you or your company wish to explore the opportunities available in these markets, it is advisable to read the entire report. From there if you wish to explore matters further contact the Arab Irish Chamber and /or Enterprise Ireland for future assistance.

The Arab World

Long Term Economic

Prospects & Opportunities

For Ireland

Trade and Commerce


EXPORTSGOODS 2011 € M 2012 € M % CHANGE SERVICES 2010 € M 2011 € M % CHANGEAlgeria 57.6 48.1 -16% Algeria * *

Bahrain 44.4 36.1 -19% Bahrain 37 44 19%

Djibouti 0.4 0.1 -80% Djibouti 0 0

Egypt 135.4 135.5 0% Egypt 312 339 9%

Iraq 38.6 56.0 45% Iraq 0 0

Jordan 56.7 51.3 -9% Jordan * 27

Kuwait 99.1 97.9 -1% Kuwait * 61

Lebanon 52.9 59.5 12% Lebanon * 23

Libya 4.8 31.3 547% Libya 13 13 0%

Mauritania 1.4 1.6 16% Mauritania 0 0

Morocco 60.5 68.3 13% Morocco * 30

Occupied Palestine 0.7 0.3 -52% Occupied Palestine 0 0

Oman 40.1 46.9 17% Oman 0 0

Qatar 43.8 58.5 34% Qatar 49 59 20%

Saudi Arabia 521.0 626.2 20% Saudi Arabia 238 303 27%

Somalia 0.6 0.6 -2% Somalia 0 0

Sudan 13.6 13.5 0% Sudan 0 0

Syria 26.1 18.1 -31% Syria 0 0

Tunisia 15.8 15.1 -4% Tunisia 27 23 -15%

United Arab Emirates 295.9 373.7 26% United Arab Emirates 532 483 -9%

Yemen 29.7 11.8 -60% Yemen * *

Grand Total 1,539.0 1,750.6 14%

IMPORTSGOODS 2011 € M 2012 € M % CHANGE SERVICES 2011 € M 2012 € M % CHANGEAlgeria 29.1 715.4 2361% Algeria * *

Bahrain 2.6 0.1 -96% Bahrain 5 3 -40%

Djibouti 0.0 0.1 111% Djibouti 0 0

Egypt 27.9 22.0 -21% Egypt 53 68 28%

Iraq 0.0 0.1 126% Iraq 0 0

Jordan 0.7 1.9 177% Jordan * 11

Kuwait 0.5 0.4 -28% Kuwait * 2

Lebanon 0.9 5.2 453% Lebanon * *

Libya 93.1 169.7 82% Libya 0 6

Mauritania 0.0 0.1 247% Mauritania 0 0

Morocco 26.1 20.3 -22% Morocco * 12

Occupied Palestine 0.1 0.1 66% Occupied Palestine 0 0

Oman 7.0 6.2 -12% Oman 0 0 #DIV/0!

Qatar 1.3 3.5 178% Qatar 1 5 400%

Saudi Arabia 5.8 4.2 -28% Saudi Arabia * 45

Somalia 0.0 0.0 20% Somalia 0 0

Sudan 0.2 1.4 465% Sudan 0 0

Syria 0.5 0.3 -31% Syria 0 0

Tunisia 12.2 12.2 0% Tunisia 13 8 -38%

United Arab Emirates 17.9 23.2 29% United Arab Emirates 190 99 -48%

Yemen 0.2 0.0 -100% Yemen 0 * #VALUE!

Grand Total 226.2 986.3 336%

Trade Statistics for MENA Region 2012

Trade and Commerce


ALGERIA EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ALGERIA54 Holland Park, London W11 3RSTel: 004420 7221 7800. Fax: 004420 7221 0448. E-Mail: [email protected]: www.algerianembassy.org.uk

Consular Section 6 Hyde Park Gate, London SW7 5EW Tel: 004420 7589 6885. Fax: 004420 7589 7725. E-Mail: [email protected]: www.algerianconsulate.org.uk

His Excellency Mr. Amar AbbaAmbassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Algeria Fact File

Country NamePeople’s Democratic Republic of Algeria

Population 35,468,208

LanguagesArabic (official), French (commercial), Berber (rural)

CurrencyAlgerian Dinar (AD) = 100 centimes

Official Religion Islam

Capital Algiers

Business Hours

Government offices: 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00 (Saturday to Thursday) 08:00 to 12:00 (Thursday)

Banks: 07:30 to 17:30 (Saturday to Thursday) Reduced hours during Ramadan

ALGERIAAlgeria is the second largest country in Africa by size and the 10th largest in the world. GDP amounted to approximately USD160 billion in 2010, following sustained economic growth in the previous decade. The World Bank indicates economic growth of 3.5% in 2010 and almost 4% in 2011, and is projected to grow further at a rate of 3.6% in 2012.

Unemployment levels have also been improving having fallen to 10% in 2010 compared to 18% in 2004. The country has about USD155 billion in foreign currency reserves and its external debt is very low at about 1% of GDP.

Hydrocarbons are key to the Algerian economy and account for approximately 62% of budget revenues, 55% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings:

• Algeria holds the 8th largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the fourth largest gas exporter. Proven natural gas reserves equate to 4,504 billion cu.m., according to OPEC.

• The country ranks 15th in oil reserves and has proved crude oil reserves totalling 12.2 billion barrels, according to OPEC,

• It also has substantial deposits of gold, uranium, zinc, iron and other minerals.

While the mining sector is poorly developed in Algeria, it is seen as having great potential and, as such, the Government has recently committed to developing this by modernising the gold, zinc, iron ore and phosphate industries.

The Government’s Five Year Plan 2010-2014 is their third public investment programme since 2001, and involves a financial commitment of USD286 billion, which will focus on infrastructure (rail, road and water) as well as housing (two million units) and health and education, and on reducing dependence on hydrocarbons. The construction sector is the fastest growing sector in Algeria, employing 18% of the labour force.

Trade and Commerce


BAHRAIN EMBASSY OF THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN 30 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8QBTel: 004420 7201 9170. Fax: 004420 7201 9183. E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.bahrain.bh

Mrs. Alice Thomas Samaan.Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Bahrain Fact File

Country Name The Kingdom of Bahrain

Population 791,473 – 2009

LanguagesArabic (official), English widely spoken

CurrencyBahraini Dinar (BD) = 1000 fils


Capital Manama

Business Hours Government offices: 08:00 to 16:00 (Sunday to Thursday)

Banks: 07:30 to 14:30 and 15:00 to 18:00 (Sunday to Thursday)

Commercial Offices: 09:00 to 18:00 (Sunday to Thursday)

BAHRAINBahrain’s oil wealth has enabled the creation of modern infrastructure, excellent roads, luxurious hotels and a thriving port. Petroleum production and refining account for over 60% of Bahrain’s export receipts and 11% of GDP (exclusive of related industries), underpinning Bahrain’s strong economic growth in recent years.

That said, oil reserves are small compared to its neighbours. Consequently, Bahrain has a much more diversified economy, with highly developed communications, financial services and transport sectors. The relatively liberal social climate has stimulated tourism, attracting Saudi Arabia residents in particular.

Aluminium is the second major export after oil. Bahrain is home to one of the world’s largest aluminium smelters which produce the highest grade material, thereby creating significant opportunities in downstream aluminium manufacturing. Bahrain has also developed production of petrochemicals and iron and steel.

The economy has become more competitive as a result of a series of reforms designed to ease trade restrictions and liberalise the business environment. The Bahrain Economic development Board’s Economic Vision 2030 sets out the Government’s aims to develop a globally competitive economy.

Rapid progress is planned in the following areas:

• Enhancements to primary, secondary and tertiary education, as well as training.

• Improved healthcare.• A large and growing infrastructure capacity.

Some USD13 billion is planned to be spent on the rail network and USD 4.8 billion on airports. Other areas of investment include road building, power and water projects, tourism and retail infrastructure, and housing.

The development of Salman Industrial City is a key element of Vision 2030, expected to involve an investment of USD7 billion, and accommodate 34,000 jobs.

Trade and Commerce


DJIBOUTIDJIBOUTI EMBASSY IN PARISFrance. 26 rue Emile Menier 75116, ParisTel: +33-1-47274922E-mail: [email protected]: www.Doingbusiness.org

Djibouti Fact File

Country Name Republic of Djibouti

Population 864,202 - 2009

Languages Arabic (official), French (commercial)

Currency Djibouti Franc (DFr) = 100 centimes


Capital Djibouti Ville

Business HoursGovernment offices: Government offices: 09:00 to 16:00 (Sunday to Thursday)

Banks: 08:00 to 12:00 (Sunday to Thursday)Hours vary during Summer/Winter

DJIBOUTIDjibouti’s economy is based on service activities connected with the country’s strategic location and status as a free trade zone in the Horn of Africa. Three-quarters of Djibouti’s inhabitants live in the capital city; the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scant rainfall limits crop production to small quantities of fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported.

Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refuelling centre. Imports, exports, and re-exports - primarily of coffee from landlocked neighbor Ethiopia - represent 70% of port activity at Djibouti’s container terminal. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects.

An unemployment rate of nearly 60% continues to be a major problem. While inflation is not a concern, due to the fixed tie of the Djiboutian franc to the US dollar, the artificially high value of the Djiboutian franc adversely affects Djibouti’s balance of payments. Djibouti holds foreign reserves amounting to less than six months of import coverage. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% between 1999 and 2006 because of recession, civil war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees).

Djibouti has experienced relatively minimal impact from the global economic downturn, but its reliance on diesel-generated electricity and imported food leave average consumers vulnerable to global price shocks. Djibouti in 2012 began construction of a third port to secure its position as a critical transshipment hub in the Horn of Africa and the principal conduit for Ethiopia’s trade. Djibouti also received funding in late 2012 for a desalination plant to begin address the severe freshwater shortage affecting Djibouti City, and particularly its poorest residents.

Trade and Commerce


EGYPT EMBASSY OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT12 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4Tel: 01 660 6718 / 01 660 6566. Fax: 01 668 3745. E-mail: [email protected]: www.embegyptireland.ie

His Excellency Mr. Sherif Elkholi Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Egypt Fact File

Country Name The Arab Republic of Egypt

Population82,999,393 (2009 World Bank)

LanguagesArabic [official] English & French widely spoken

Currency Egyptian Pound


Capital Cairo


Banks: 08:30 to 14:00 (Sunday to Thursday)07:30 to 11:00 (Thursday)

EGYPTWith more than 80 million inhabitants, Egypt is by far the most populous country in the Arab World. It has the third largest economy, after Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It is less dependent on energy exports than most of the AICC countries and has a more diversified economy. Key sources of foreign exchange include:

• Export of oil and gas,• Tourism, • Transfers from expatriates, • Revenues from the Suez Channel. Egypt’s oil and gas production has increased in recent years with new exploration and drilling programmes in place. Egypt has gas reserves of 2.2 billion cubic metres and oil reserves of 4.5 billion barrels. In 2010, production totalled 736,000 barrels per day. Further reserves have been recently discovered and the revenue from production of gas has significant growth potential.

Egypt plans to invest USD110 billion in its energy sector out to 2027, including a significant renewable energy element. The plan is that renewable energy will comprise 20% of electricity production (12% wind, 8% hydropower) by 2020.

Water is a key issue for Egypt, given its large population. Over the period to 2037, some USD16.25 billion is to be invested into the sector, USD10.3 billion of which will be invested in developing the waste water system.

Tourism employs 20% of Egypt’s labour force with revenues of almost USD14 billion in 2010.

The information and communication technology (ICT) sector has been the most dynamic in Egypt in recent years, with 80% of the population mobile phone users.The number of internet users is also rising and reached 22 million users in 2010. The non-traded services sector is another dynamic sector, reflected in an expansion of supermarkets and large shopping centres in recent years.

The ongoing political uncertainty facing Egypt is having a negative impact in the short term. Egypt’s Ministry of Economic Development predicts that robust growth is not expected to return until 2017. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), tourism and Suez Canal receipts are the areas expected to be most affected.

Trade and Commerce


IRAQEMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ4 Elvaston Place, London SW7 5QHTel: 004420 7594 0180.Fax: 004420 7584 6787E-Mail: [email protected]: www.iraqembassy.org.uk

Consular Section3 Elvaston Place, SW7 5QHTel: 004420 7590 9220. Fax: 004420 7590 9226

Cultural Attaché Office20 Queen’s Gate, SW7 5JETel: 004420 7581 8652. Fax: 004420 7581 1038

Iraq Fact File

Country Name Republic of Iraq

Population 31,494,287 (2009 World Bank)

Languages Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Currency Iraqi Dinar (ID) = 1,000 fils


Capital Baghdad


Banks: 08:00 to 14:0 (Sunday to Thursday

IRAQ

Notwithstanding the conflicts of the last three decade and on-going difficulties, Iraq remains a major oil-producing country, and has experienced strong growth since implementing a series of structural reforms in recent years. GDP growth is projected by the IMF to exceed 12% in 2012, following growth of almost 10% in 2011, on the back of growing oil revenues.

Iraq ranks third in the world in terms of oil reserves (after Saudi Arabia and Venezuela) with an estimated 143 billion barrels. Revenues from oil reached USD83 billion in 2011 and are projected to reach USD100 billion in 2012. Oil revenue accounts for approximately 99% of total export earnings and over 75% of budget revenue.

Economic policy is focused on reforming the hydrocarbon sector and upgrading national infrastructure. Government plans foresee crude oil production increasing to 12 million barrels per day by 2017 compared to 3 million barrels per day at present. Gas production is also expected to increase – the country has estimated natural gas reserves of more than 2,800 billion cubic metres.

The National Investment Commission plans to invest USD150 billion in infrastructure by 2025. Electricity and transport is set to be prioritised in major construction work along with housing to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population. There are also plans to invest several USD billions on existing and new airports, ports and a metro over the next ten years.

The agri-food sector requires considerable investment, particularly in the food supply chain, as Iraq imports roughly 80% of its food requirements at present.

The long term prospects for foreign investment in Iraq are positive. The Middle East Economic Digest reports that Iraq is now the fastest growing projects market in the region with roughly USD363 billion worth of projects planned or under way across all socio-economic sectors currently. Training systems and consultancy services geared to the needs of the economic restructuring are in high demand.

Trade and Commerce


JORDANEMBASSY OF THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN6 Upper Phillimore Gardens, Kensington, London W8 7HATel: 004420 7937 3685. Fax: 004420 7937 8795. E-Mail: [email protected]: www.jordanembassy.org.uk

His Excellency Mr. Mazen HomoudAmbassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Jordan Fact File

Country NameHashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Population 5,961,000 (2009)

LanguagesArabic (official), English (Commercial)

Currency Jordanian Dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils


Capital Amman


Banks: 08:30 to 15:00 (Sunday to Thursday)

08.30-13.00 & 15.30-18.30 (Sunday to Thursday)Reduced hours during Ramadan

JORDAN Economic reform has been in train in Jordan since 1999, and while considerable progress has been achieved, significant socio-economic problems remain.The Arab Spring has led to a new constitution with elements of democracy introduced, albeit disturbances have had an impact on tourism receipts and foreign direct investment in 2011. Notwithstanding this, the IMF foresees GDP growing by 4-5% in 2012 and 2013.

Unlike most countries in the region, Jordan has relatively little fossil energy resources, and currently imports 96% of its energy requirements. The Kingdom aims to reduce its dependence on oil from 60% to 40% by 2025. The national Energy Master Plan 2007-2020 envisages that renewable energy will account for 7% of the electricity generation capacity by 2015 and 10% by 2020.

Mining and a diversified manufacturing base are the main drivers of Jordan’s industry, together accounting for almost one-quarter of national GDP in 2011, and aided by a skilled labour force and strong regulatory environment. Jordan possesses significant mineral resources that are the basis for several chemical industry clusters, such as phosphate, potash, silica, uranium, and copper. A number of economic zones have been created in the country.

Notwithstanding difficulties in 2011, tourism remains a major sector of the economy, accounting for 14% of GDP, and is the second largest employer and the second largest foreign currency source. “Medical tourism” is another important sector.

Trade and Commerce


KUWAITEMBASSY OF THE STATE OF KUWAIT2 Albert Gate, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7JUTel: 004420 7590 3400His Excellency Mr. Khaled Al-DuwaisanAmbassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Kuwait Fact File

Country Name State of Kuwait

Population 3,440,000 (2009 census)


CurrencyKuwait Dinar (KD) = 1,000 fils


Capital Kuwait City

Business HoursGovernment offices: 07:00 to 14:00 (Saturday to Wednesday)

Banks: 08:00 to 13:00 (Sunday to Thursday)Reduced hours during Ramadan Hours vary during Summer

KUWAIT Kuwait is one of the top five largest oil exporters in the world and sits on approximately one-tenth of global oil reserves. Revenue from this sector is expected to grow given that it has plans to boost output to 4 million barrels per day by 2020, from approximately 2.5 million currently. The country is also rich in natural gas resources, with almost 1% of global reserves. Both export earnings and the State coffers are highly dependent on oil revenues.

The oil industry is the main driving force of the economy, but dependence on the sector is seen as a challenge for future development. Kuwait Vision 2035 is a long term development plan which has the strategic objectives of reviving the role of the Kuwaiti private sector (currently over 80% of the workforce is employed in the public sector) and restoring the regional role of the Kuwaiti state as a commercial and financial centre (The country has one of the most robust banking sectors in the region):

“The transformation of Kuwait into a financial and trade hub for investment, in which the private sector leads economic activity, fueled by the spirit of competition, and raising the efficiency of production in under a supporting institutional State agency, establishes values, preserves the social identity, achieves balanced human development and provides appropriate infrastructure, improved legislation and encouraging business environment.”

In response to a growing population, Kuwait is focussing on the country’s healthcare system by expanding and upgrading its hospitals and has plans to construct eight new hospitals over the next seven years. Education is a central part of the government’s strategy, while the electricity and water transmission networks are being strengthened.

In 2010 the government unveiled a USD125 billion economic development plan, calling for increased spending on mega projects and a renewed focus in the delivery of public services through Public Private Partnerships such as a USD10 billion metro system, a major container port and multibillion USD healthcare and education programmes. Other key developments include the expansion of the road network, and the implementation of a public transport system. Social housing, hospitals, education facilities and power generation have also been prioritised.

It must be noted, however, that the delivery of this and other plans has been slowed down by political disputes between the Government and the General Assembly. This has been an ongoing problem in Kuwait over the years.

Trade and Commerce


LEBANON EMBASSY OF LEBANON 21 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QNTel: 004420 7727 6696 / 004420 7727 6710. Fax: 004420 7243 1699. E-Mail: [email protected]

Her Excellency Mrs. Inaam OsseiranAmbassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Lebanon Fact File

Country Name Republic of Lebanon

Population 4,223,553 (2009)

LanguagesArabic (official), English and French (Commercial)

CurrencyLebanese Pound (LP) = 100 piastres

Official Religion

Christianity (Maronite, Greek Orthodox & Greek Catholic) Islam (Sunni & Shi’a) and Druze

Capital Beirut

Business Hours

Government offices: 08:00 to 14:00 (Monday to Thursday) 08:00 to 12:30 (Friday)

Banks: 08:30 to 12:30 (Monday to Friday) 08:30 to 12:00

LEBANONLebanon has a free-market economy and a strong laissez-faire commercial tradition. The government does not restrict foreign investment; however, the investment climate suffers from red tape, corruption, arbitrary licensing decisions, complex customs procedures, high taxes, tariffs, and fees, archaic legislation, and weak intellectual property rights.

The Lebanese economy is service-oriented; its main growth sectors include banking and tourism. The 1975-90 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon’s economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and derailed Lebanon’s position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. Following the civil war, Lebanon rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily - mostly from domestic banks - saddling the government with a huge debt burden.

Pledges of economic and financial reforms made at separate international donor conferences during the 2000s have mostly gone unfulfilled, including those made during the Paris III Donor Conference in 2007 following the July 2006 war. The collapse of the government in early 2011, over its backing of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and unrest in neighboring Syria, slowed economic growth to the 1-2% range in 2011-12, after four years of 8% average growth.

In September 2011 the Cabinet endorsed a bill that would provide $1.2 billion in funding to improve Lebanon’s downtrodden electricity sector, but fiscal limitations will test the government’s ability to invest in other areas, such as water.

Trade and Commerce


LIBYATHE EMBASSY OF LIBYA15 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LYTel: 004420 7201 8280. Fax: 004420 7245 0588.

His Excellency Mr. Mahmud NacuaAmbassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Libya Fact File

Country Name Libya

Population 6,419,925 (2009)

CurrencyLibyan Dinar (LD) = 1,000 dirhams


Capital Tripoli

Business HoursGovernment offices: 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00 (Sunday to Thursday)

Banks: 08:00 to 12:00 (Sunday to Thursday)Hours vary during Summer/Winter

LIBYA The Libyan economy is dominated by the oil and gas sector. It depends heavily on revenues from the oil sector, which account for 95% of export earnings, and 70% of GDP. Output in 2011 averaged one million barrels per day, compared to pre-revolution levels of 1.6 million. Proven oil reserves total 47.1 billion barrels, and the sector offers huge potential for growth with only one-quarter of the country’s surface area explored.

The country is also beginning to exploit its huge natural gas reserves, estimated at 1.55 trillion cubic metres. Output is currently 12 billion cubic metres per annum. A gas pipeline constructed in 2004 has significantly increased Libyan gas exports to Europe.

The recent political turmoil has had a significant impact on the economy and the oil sector, with GDP contracting by 19% in 2011. However, the economy is expected to rebound strongly, growing by 16% in 2012.

Libya has potential to offer opportunities across a wide range of sectors including oil and gas, agriculture, telecommunications, education, medical equipment, services and tourism, once the political situation has stabilised. In this context Construction in particular is likely to experience rapid growth over the coming decade.

Trade and Commerce


MAURITANIAMAURITANIAN EMBASSY IN PARIS. 5 Rue de Montevideo 75116 Paris, FranceTel: +33 1 4504 8854Email: [email protected].

Mauritania Fact File

Country Name Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Population 3,290,630 (2009)

Languages Arabic (official), French (commercial)

Currency Ouguiya = 5 kloums


Capital Nouakchott

Business Hours

Government offices: Government offices 07:30 to 14:30 (Saturday to Wednesday)

08:00 to 12:00 (Saturday to Thursday) Reduced hours during Ramadan

MAURITANIAHalf the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though many of the nomads and subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s.

Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for nearly 40% of total exports. The nation’s coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country’s first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. Before 2000, drought and economic mismanagement resulted in a buildup of foreign debt.

In February 2000, Mauritania qualified for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and nearly all of its foreign debt has since been forgiven. A new investment code approved in December 2001 improved the opportunities for direct foreign investment. Mauritania and the IMF agreed to a three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) arrangement in 2006. Mauritania made satisfactory progress, but the IMF, World Bank, and other international actors suspended assistance and investment in Mauritania after the August 2008 coup.

Since the presidential election in July 2009, donors have resumed assistance. Oil prospects, while initially promising, have largely failed to materialise, and the government has placed a priority on attracting private investment to spur economic growth. The Government also emphasises reduction of poverty, improvement of health and education, and privatisation of the economy. Economic growth remained around 5% in 2010-12, mostly because of rising prices of gold, copper, iron ore and oil.

Trade and Commerce


MOROCCOEMBASSY OF THE KINGDOM OF MOROCCO39 Raglan Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4Tel: 01 660 9449 Fax: 01 660 9468. E-Mail: [email protected] Excellency Mr. Anas KhalesAmbassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Morocco Fact File

Country Name Kingdom of Morocco

Population 31,992,592 (2009)

LanguagesArabic (official), French (commercial), Berber (in rural areas), Spanish in North

Currency Moroccan Dirham (MD) = 100 santimat


Capital Rabat

Business HoursGovernment offices: 08:00 to 13:00 and 14:30 to 18:00 (Monday to Saturday)

Banks: 08:15 to 12:15 and 14:15 to 17:15 (Monday to Thursday) 09:00 to 13:00 (Saturday)

MORROCOMorocco has capitalised on its proximity to Europe and relatively low labour costs to build a diverse, open, market-oriented economy. In the 1980s Morocco was a heavily indebted country before pursuing austerity measures and pro-market reforms, overseen by the IMF.

Since taking the throne in 1999, King MOHAMMED VI has presided over a stable economy marked by steady growth, low inflation, and gradually falling unemployment, although a poor harvest and economic difficulties in Europe contributed to an economic slowdown in 2012.

Industrial development strategies and infrastructure improvements - most visibly illustrated by a new port and free trade zone near Tangier - are improving Morocco’s competitiveness. Morocco also seeks to expand its renewable energy capacity with a goal of making renewable 40% of electricity output by 2020. Key sectors of the economy include agriculture, tourism, phosphates, textiles, apparel, and subcomponents.

To boost exports, Morocco entered into a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the United States in 2006 and an Advanced Status agreement with the European Union in 2008. In 2011 and 2012, high prices on fuel - which is subsidised and almost entirely imported - strained the government’s budget and widened the country’s current account deficit.

Trade and Commerce


OMANEMBASSY OF THE SULTANATE OF OMAN 167 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5HETel: 004420 7225 0001. Fax: 004420 7589 2505. E-mail: [email protected]. Mr. Abdulaziz Abdullah Zahir Al HinaiAmbassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Oman Fact File

Country Name Sultanate of Oman

Population 2,845,415 (2009)

Languages Arabic (official), English is widely spoken

Currency Omani Rial (OR) = 1,000 Baizas


Capital Muscat

Business Hours Government offices: 07:30 to 14:30 (Saturday to Wednesday)

Banks: 08:00 to 12:00 and 14:30 to 18:00 (Saturday to Wednesday) 08:00 to 11:30 (Thursday) Reduced hours during Ramadan

Hours vary during Summer/Winter

OMANWhile oil and gas still account for 75% of the country’s export earnings and 50% of GDP, the Government of Oman has a long term goal of diversifying the economy. In its 1995 document ,Vision 2020, the Omani Government prioritised diversifying the economic base and the private sector as one of the most important goals for future economic development. The stated aims of the Vision are:

1. To develop and upgrade Omani human resources in order to cope with technological progress and attain international competitiveness.

2. To develop a private sector capable of optimum use of human and natural resources in an efficient and ecologically- sound way, in close collaboration with the government.

3. To utilise the geo-strategic location of the Sultanate, optimize the use of its natural resources and promote economic diversification.

4. To distribute the fruits of development among all regions and all citizens. 5. To preserve, safeguard and develop the achievements accomplished in the past

twenty-five years.

The country is now on its 8th Five-Year-Plan (2011-2015) which includes public capital investment of USD31 billion.

Along with an ambitious economic diversification programme Government is actively promoting the “Omanisation” of its labour market, i.e. replacing expatriates with trained Omani personnel, with specific targets for various sectors. This is generating significant training opportunities.

The petrochemicals and metals sectors are receiving particular attention with plans for development at a number of new industrial sites. The expanding urban population will result in an increase in energy demand, and it is planned to privatise the country’s electrical utilities. Tourism is another important sector that is seen as having strong growth potential. The Government is committed to the expansion of a high quality transport network as a driver of economic growth.

Trade and Commerce


QATAREMBASSY OF THE STATE OF QATAR1 South Audley Street, London W1K 1NBTel: 004420 7493 2200. Fax: 004420 7493 2661. E-mail: [email protected]

His Excellency Mr. Khalid Rashid Al-Hamoudi Al-MansouriAmbassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Qatar Fact File

Country Name State of Qatar

Population 1,409,423 (2009)

LanguagesArabic (official), English is widely spoken

CurrencyQatar Riyal (QR) = 100 dirhams


Capital Doha


Banks: 07:30 to 13:00 (Sunday to ThursdayReduced hours during Ramadan

QATARQatar has a population of 1.8 million, of whom fewer than 400,000 are Qatari nationals. Qatar is a major oil producer (0.8 million barrels per day) and has seen rapid growth in its natural gas industry. It has the third largest gas reserves in the world (13.5% of global reserves), and recorded economic growth of almost 20% in 2010, slowing to 13% in 2011, and is projected to be 6% in 2012.

Revenues generated by the energy sector have been invested in infrastructure, health, education and petrochemicals. The State is seeking to increase the non-energy sector’s contribution to the economy to 80% by 2015. The cement, metals and chemicals industries are receiving considerable investment.

The construction sector boomed due to the increase in oil prices but has recently experienced a significant downturn. The transport network continues to rapidly expand, with planned spending on infrastructure of around USD46 billion. Qatar is also investing heavily in education with initiatives to expand its skills base and build a knowledge-based economy. Education City was established on ten square kilometres in Doha and is still expanding, with investment of USD6 billion to date.

Qatar is also promoting itself as a prime venue for specialised tourism activities, with conferences, sporting events (most notably the World Cup in 2022) and cultural tourism seen as having the greatest potential.

Real estate, petrochemicals, financial services (including Islamic banking), research and development, and IT are other sectors with considerable potential.

Trade and Commerce


Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ROYAL EMBASSY OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA6 & 7 Fitzwilliam Square East, Dublin 2.Tel: 01 676 0704. Fax: 01 676 0715.E-Mail: [email protected]

His Excellency Mr. Abdulaziz Abdulrahman AldrissAmbassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Saudi Arabia Fact File

Country Name Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Population 25,391,100 (2009)


CurrencySaudi Riyals (SAR) = 100 halala


Capital Riyadh

Business HoursGovernment offices: 07:30 to 14:30 (Saturday to Wednesday)

Banks: 08:00 to 12:00 and 17:00 to 20:00 (Saturday to Wednesday) 08:00 to 12:00 (Thursday) Reduced hours during Ramadan

SAUDI ARABIASaudi Arabia is the largest country in the GCC with a population of more than 27 million, and it is the largest economy in the Arab world with GDP totalling USD560 billion in 2011. GDP grow was modest in 2009 but increased to 3.8% in 2010 and 6% in 2011 and is projected to grow by almost 7% in 2012 due to a continuation of the expansionary fiscal policy pursued by the government.

Saudi Arabia is the world’s second largest oil exporter, exporting approximately 8 million barrels of crude oil daily – equivalent to almost 10% of total global consumption worldwide. The oil industry generates 40% of GDP, almost 90% of government revenues, and 91% of exports. Some USD100 billion has been allocated over the next five years for oil and gas exploration and refining.

Economic diversification is seen as a particular challenge given the decades-long dependence on oil revenues. Several projects in power generation, desalination, and transport infrastructure are of strategic importance.

The petrochemicals sector is a cornerstone of the country’s economic diversification strategy, with ambitions to make it a leading international sector by 2015. Construction also plays a key role in the Kingdom’s diversification process. Saudi Arabia looks set to host some of the largest real estate and construction projects in the world including six new economic cities which are estimated to house 4.5 million people and provide some 1.3 million jobs.

Transport and logistics infrastructure and the maintenance of existing infrastructure have been prioritised under the Kingdom’s 9th Development Plan 2010-2014. Education and healthcare have also been prioritised, as many of the “lifestyle-related” diseases increasingly prevalent in the West (diabetes, heart disease, etc.) are also making inroads in the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia.

Despite a strong macroeconomic position, a key challenge facing Saudi Arabia is the creation of jobs. The unemployment rate rose to 10% in 2010, and the government has a target to reduce this to 5.5% by 2014.

Trade and Commerce


SOMALIADiplomatic representation in Somalia is provided by the IRISH EMBASSY IN TANZANIA.Website: www.embassyofireland.or.tz

Somalia Fact File

Country Name Somali Democratic Republic

Population 9,133,124 (2009)

Languages Somalian (official), Arabic, English & Italian

Currency Somalia Shilling


Capital Mogadishu

Business Hours Government offices: 07:30 to 14:30 (Saturday to Thursday)

Banks: 08:00 to 12:00 (Saturday to Thursday) Hours vary during Ramadan

SOMALIADespite the lack of effective national governance, Somalia has maintained a healthy informal economy, largely based on livestock, remittance/money transfer companies, and telecommunications. Agriculture is the most important sector with livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and more than 50% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-pastoralists, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. Livestock, hides, fish, charcoal and bananas are Somalia’s principal exports, while sugar, sorghum, corn, qat, and machined goods are the principal imports.

Somalia’s small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, has largely been looted and the machinery sold as scrap metal. Somalia’s service sector has grown. Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the continent. In the absence of a formal banking sector, money transfer/remittance services have sprouted throughout the country, handling up to $1.6 billion in remittances annually. Mogadishu’s main market offers a variety of goods from food to the newest electronic gadgets. Hotels continue to operate and are supported with private-security militias.

Somalia’s arrears to the IMF have continued to grow. Somalia’s capital city - Mogadishu - has enjoyed a rebirth following the departure of al-Shabaab in August 2011. Mogadishu has witnessed the development of the city’s first gas stations, supermarkets, and flights between Europe (Istanbul-Mogadishu) since the collapse of central authority in 1991. This economic growth has yet to expand outside of Mogadishu.

Trade and Commerce


SUDANEMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE SUDAN3 Cleveland Row, St. James’s, London SW1A 1DDTel: 004420 7839 8080. Fax: 004420 7839 7560. E-Mail: [email protected]: www.sudanembassy.co.ukHE Abdullahi H A El Azreg Sudanese Ambassador to the UK and Ireland

Sudan Fact File

Country Name Republic of Sudan

Population 42,272,435 (2009

Languages Arabic (official), English and various tribal languages

Currency Sudanese Pound (£SUD) = 100 piastres


Capital Khartoum


Banks: 08:30 to 13:30 and 17:00 to 20:00 (Saturday to Thursday) Reduced hours during Ramadan

SUDANIndustry and infrastructure in landlocked South Sudan are severely underdeveloped and poverty is widespread, following several decades of civil war with Sudan. Subsistence agriculture provides a living for the vast majority of the population. Property rights are tentative and price signals are missing because markets are not well organised. South Sudan has little infrastructure - just 60 km of paved roads. Electricity is produced mostly by costly diesel generators and running water is scarce. The government spends large sums of money to maintain a big army; delays in paying salaries have periodically resulted in riots by unruly soldiers. Ethnic conflicts have resulted in a large number of civilian deaths and displacement. South Sudan depends largely on imports of goods, services, and capital from the north. Despite these disadvantages, South Sudan does have abundant natural resources. South Sudan produces nearly three-fourths of the former Sudan’s total oil output of nearly a half million barrels per day. The government of South Sudan derives nearly 98% of its budget revenues from oil. Oil is exported through two pipelines that run to refineries and shipping facilities at Port Sudan on the Red Sea, and the 2005 oil sharing agreement with Khartoum called for a 50-50 sharing of oil revenues between the two entities. That deal expired on 9 July 2011, however, when South Sudan became an independent country. The economy of South Sudan undoubtedly will remain linked to Sudan for some time, given the long lead time and great expense required to build another pipeline. In early 2012 South Sudan suspended production of oil because of its dispute with Sudan over transshipment fees. This had a devastating impact on GDP, which declined by at least 55% in 2012. South Sudan holds one of the richest agricultural areas in Africa with fertile soils and abundant water supplies. Currently the region supports 10-20 million head of cattle. South Sudan does not have large external debt or structural trade deficits and has received more than $4 billion in foreign aid since 2005, largely from the UK, US, Norway, and Netherlands. Following independence, South Sudan’s central bank issued a new currency, the South Sudanese Pound, allowing a short grace period for turning in the old currency. Annual inflation peaked at 79% in May 2012. Long term problems include alleviating poverty, maintaining macroeconomic stability, improving tax collection and financial management, focusing resources on speeding growth, and improving the business environment.

Trade and Commerce


SyriaEMBASSY OF THE SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC 8 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PHTel: 004420 7245 9012. Fax: 004420 7235 4621. E-Mail: [email protected] / [email protected]: www.syremb.comMr. Ghassan Dalla Minister-Counsellor and Chargé d’Affaires a.i.National Day: 17th April

Syria Fact File

Country Name Syrian Arab Republic

Population 21,092,262 (2009)

Languages Arabic (official), English and French are widely spoken

Currency Syrian Pound (£S) = 100 piastres


Capital Damascus


SYRIADespite modest economic growth and reform prior to the outbreak of unrest, Syria’s economy continues to suffer the effects of the ongoing conflict that began in 2011. The economy further contracted in 2012 because of international sanctions and reduced domestic consumption and production.

The government has struggled to address the effects of economic decline, including dwindling foreign exchange reserves, rising budget and trade deficits, and the decreasing value of the Syrian pound.

Prior to the unrest, Damascus began liberalising economic policies, including cutting lending interest rates, opening private banks, consolidating multiple exchange rates, raising prices on some subsidized items, and establishing the Damascus Stock Exchange.

The economy remains highly regulated by the government. Long-run economic constraints include foreign trade barriers, declining oil production, high unemployment, rising budget deficits, and increasing pressure on water supplies caused by heavy use in agriculture, rapid population growth, industrial expansion and water pollution.

Trade and Commerce


TunisiaEMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA 29 Prince’s Gate, London SW7 1QGTel: 004420 7584 8117. Fax: 004420 7584 3205. E-Mail: [email protected]

His Excellency Mr. Hatem AtallahAmbassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

National Day: 20th March

Tunisia Fact File

Country Name Tunisian Republic

Population 10,432,500 (2009)

LanguagesArabic (official), French (commercial), Berber (in rural areas)

CurrencyTunisian Dinar (TD) = 1,000 millimes


Capital Tunis

Business Hours

Government offices: 08:30 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 17:45 (Monday to Thursday) 08:30 to 13:30 (Friday and Saturday)

Banks: 08:00 to 11:00 and 14:00 to 16:00 (Monday to Friday)Hours vary during Summer/Winter

TUNISIATunisia’s diverse, market-oriented economy has long been cited as a success story in Africa and the Middle East, but it faces an array of challenges during the country’s ongoing political transition.

Following an ill-fated experiment with socialist economic policies in the 1960s, Tunisia embarked on a successful strategy focused on bolstering exports, foreign investment, and tourism, all of which have become central to the country’s economy. Key exports now include textiles and apparel, food products, petroleum products, chemicals, and phosphates, with about 80% of exports bound for Tunisia’s main economic partner, the European Union.

Tunisia’s liberal strategy, coupled with investments in education and infrastructure, fuelled decades of 4-5% annual GDP growth and improving living standards. Former President (1987-2011) Zine el Abidine BEN ALI continued these policies, but as his reign wore on cronyism and corruption stymied economic performance and unemployment rose among the country’s growing ranks of university graduates. These grievances contributed to the January 2011 overthrow of BEN ALI, sending Tunisia’s economy into a tailspin as tourism and investment declined sharply.

As the economy recovers, Tunisia’s government faces challenges reassuring businesses and investors, bringing budget and current account deficits under control, shoring up the country’s financial system, bringing down high unemployment, and reducing economic disparities between the more developed coastal region and the impoverished interior.

Trade and Commerce


United Arab Emirates EMBASSY OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 45 – 47 Pembroke Road, DublinTel: 01 660 0000. Fax: 01 237 5920E-mail: [email protected]

His Excellency Mr. Khalid Nasser Rashid LootahAmbassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

National Day: 2nd December

United Arab Emirates Fact File

Country Name United Arab Emirates

Population 4,598,600 (2009)

LanguagesArabic (official), English widely spoken

Currency Dirham (D) = 100 fils


Capital Abu Dhabi

Business Hours Government offices:07:30 to 19:00 (Sunday to Thursday)

Banks: 08:00 to 19:00 (Sunday to Thursday)Times vary from Emirate to Emirate.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATESConsisting of a federation of seven different Emirates, UAE has a population of just over 5 million people, 4 million of whom are non-nationals. The Emirates are characterised by an open, low-tax economy, ease of doing business and a transparent regulatory system.

The UAE is the world’s third largest oil exporter, with production of 2.5 million barrels per day in 2011. Oil reserves are the sixth largest in the world, amounting to almost 98 billion barrels. Abu Dhabi holds 94% of the UAE total reserves, as well as the fifth largest natural gas reserves in the world, totalling over 6 trillion m3. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. plans to invest roughly USD60 billion in projects in the oil, gas and petrochemical sector over the next ten years.

The economy has successfully diversified away from dependence on hydrocarbons, having established a strong services sector and industrial base. As a result, the non-oil sector accounts for 70% of the UAE’s GDP, including largescale infrastructure investment in transport (including a USD11 billion railway project), trade, tourism and the power (conventional, renewable and nuclear) and water sectors. The UAE remains one of the largest construction markets in the GCC with USD985 billion worth of projects in progress or at planning stages.

The major industries in the UAE are as follows:

• oil & gas, • ship repair• petrochemicals • pharmaceuticals• aluminium, aeronautics • tourism, transport• iron & steel, • real estate• cement, ceramics • financial services

The World Nuclear Association reports that the powergen sector at the moment in the UAE is almost entirely dependent on natural gas, and demand is growing at 9% per annum. It is planning to import electricity from Iran, and is also embarking on a nuclear power investment programme. It has recently commissioned a South Korean consortium to build four commercial nuclear power reactors, with a total capacity of 5.6 GWe, by 2020 (cost USD 20 billion)

In line with the UAE Economic Vision 2021 and Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 economic strategies, the UAE is currently focusing its efforts on investments which directly influence the standard of living of UAE residents, such as renewable energy, aircraft components and manufacturing, technology, tourism and education.

In the future the UAE is likely to sustain and broaden economic growth, with a rapid expansion of the capacity of public services such as health and education, while focusing on research and development, and deepening trade ties with a range of international partners.

The UAE, as part of its diversification strategy, is establishing itself as a global aviation hub, linking Europe with Africa and Asia. Two major airports – Dubai and Abu Dhabi – and two major airlines – Etihad and Emirates – have emerged as among the fastest growing in the world. UAE has plans to spend over USD130 billion on airports, aircraft and related investments over the current decade.

Enterprise Ireland report that Middle East airlines will invest some USD115 billion in aircraft over the next 20 years; Etihad and Emirates on their own expect to add 1-2 aircraft per month to their fleets over the next five years to meet their growth strategies.

Trade and Commerce


YemenEmbassy of the Republic of Yemen 57 Cromwell Road, London. SW7 2EDTel: +1 212 421 6934Website: www.yemenembassy.org.uk

H.E. Mr. Abdulla Ali AlradhiAmbassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Yemen Fact File

Country Name Republic of Yemen

Population 23,580,220 - 2009

LanguagesArabic (official), English and Arabic (Commercial)

Currency Yemeni Rial (YER) = 100 fils


Capital Sana’a


Banks: 08:30 to 12:00 (Saturday to Wednesday) 08:00 to 11:30 (Thursday)

YEMENYemen is a low income country that is highly dependent on declining oil resources for revenue. Petroleum accounts for roughly 25% of GDP and 70% of government revenue. Yemen has tried to counter the effects of its declining oil resources by diversifying its economy through an economic reform program initiated in 2006 that is designed to bolster non-oil sectors of the economy and foreign investment.

In October 2009, Yemen exported its first liquefied natural gas as part of this diversification effort. In January 2010, the international community established the Friends of Yemen group that aims to support Yemen’s efforts toward economic and political reform. In 2012, the Friends of Yemen pledged over $7 billion in assistance to Yemen. The Yemeni government also endorsed a Mutual Accountability Framework to facilitate the efficient implementation of donor aid.

The unrest that began in early 2011 caused GDP to plunge more than 15% in 2011, and GDP in 2012 began a modest recovery but has not reached pre-2011 levels. Availability of basic services, including electricity, water and fuel, has improved since the transition, but progress toward achieving more sustainable economic stability has been slow and uneven. Yemen continues to face difficult long term challenges, including declining water resources, high unemployment, and a high population growth rate.

Dates for your Diary 2012


DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2013

Event Date Event Name Venue

6 May - 9 May 2013 Saudi Elenex 2013 Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center

6 May - 9 May 2013 Saudi Luminex 2013 Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center

14 May 2013 MEED Quality Awards for Projects 2013 Jumeirah Ethihad Towers, Abu Dhabi

14 May - 15 May 2013 The Mobile Show 2013 Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

19 May - 22 May 2013 Saudi Food, Hotel and Hospitality Arabia Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events

20 May - 23 May 2013 Index Exhibition Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

20 May - 23 May 2013 The Office Exhibition Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

21 May - 23 May 2013 Middle East EVENT Show Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre

21 May - 23 May 2013 Professional Audio and Lighting Middle East Exhibition (PALME)

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

22 May - 23 May 2013 Kuwait Quality Summit Radisson Blu Hotel - Kuwait (Failaka Hall)

27 May - 31 May 2013 ArabNet Digital Summit - Dubai Dubai

4 Jun - 5 Jun 2013 Middle East Call Centre Conference and Exhibition Dubai

11 Jun - 13 Jun 2013 Automechanika Middle East Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

11 Jun - 13 Jun 2013 Hardware & Tools Middle East Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

13 Jun - 15 May 2013 Beirut International Medipharma Fair Beirut International Leisure & Exhibition Center (BIEL)

17 Jun - 20 Jun 2013 Dubai 2013 Airport Expo, Dubai

20 Jun - 22 Jun 2013 Indian Property Show Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

20 Jul - 10 Aug 2013 Ramadan & Eid Festival 2013 ADNEC

22 May - 23 May 2013 Kuwait Quality Summit Radisson Blu Hotel - Kuwait (Failaka Hall)

27 May - 31 May 2013 ArabNet Digital Summit - Dubai Dubai

13 Jun - 15 May 2013 Beirut International Medipharma Fair Beirut International Leisure & Exhibition Center (BIEL)

17 Jun - 20 Jun 2013 Dubai 2013 Airport Expo, Dubai

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AIJ A4 Advert.indd 1 03/04/2013 16:40

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wakeboardIng // bord bIa on gulFood // kInara Food //newS // book revIew and more

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