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Tanaiste to address Arab Irish Business Forum

Tánaiste to address Arab Irish Business Conference in Dublin

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD will address next week’s Arab Irish Business Forum at the Mansion House in Dublin.

The conference, which will feature speakers from both Ireland and the Arab states will provide expert analysis, insight and advice for organisations looking to do business or scale up existing interests in the Middle East and Gulf region. Taking place on 13 September, the Arab Irish Business Forum is set to be one of Ireland’s largest gatherings of Arab Irish business interests in recent years.

Speakers will discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by the Arab states and panel discussions will feature Irish success stories from the Arab world and delve into the importance of creating strong business relationships in order to succeed.

An Tánaiste will be joined by a stellar line-up of speakers from Ireland and the Arab states including Niall Gibbons, NEOM (Saudi Arabia); Chief Information Officer of DubaiExpo 2020, Mohammed Al Hashmi; Country Manager for Emirates in Ireland, Anita Thomas; CEO of Augustus Media and Lovin Dubai, Richard Fitzgerald; COO of the Bahrain Stock Exchange, Abdullah Abdin; Ian Cahill of Flavahan’s; Stephen Twomey, Director of Enterprise Ireland Middle East and North Africa; Ahmad Younis and Enda Corneille of the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce and Lorna Allen, Middle East market specialist for Bord Bia.

Irish exports¹ to the Middle East and Gulf hit €1.46 billion for the first half of 2023 with notable increases in exports to Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. In addition to merchandise, the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce in Dublin estimates that trade in services, worth an estimated €4 billion in 2022, will meet if not exceed the overall value of goods exported to the Arab states this year.

Waterford entrepreneur and founder of Lovin Dubai to speak at major Arab Irish business conference in Dublin

Waterford businessman Richard Fitzgerald has been announced for the upcoming Arab Irish Business Forum and will address delegates on his experience of doing business in the Arab world, offering a unique perspective following more than a decade spent in the region.

The conference, which will feature speakers from both Ireland and the Arab states will provide expert analysis, insight and advice on looking beyond the UK and the EU for extensive business opportunities. Taking place on 13 September at the Mansion Hose in Dublin, the Arab Irish Business Forum is set to be one of Ireland’s largest gatherings of Arab Irish business interests in recent years.

Richard Fitzgerald left his job as a senior advertising executive to head to the Middle East in 2012. Three years later he founded Augustus Media, which publishes the highly successful Lovin Dubai, Lovin Saudi and Smashi digital and online media brands, as Richard recognised the extent to how new media and technology could help businesses in Saudi and the UAE.

“I received a very warm welcome on arrival to the UAE,” said Richard. “It’s a region that is often misunderstood but there are many similarities between Arabs and the Irish such as our sense of community, family and heritage along with a great sense of humour. But when doing business there, it’s important to understand the differences, particularly in how business is conducted. You have to be patient as a deal can take time to get over the line but when it does, you have to be able to respond fast.

“Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Egypt and Qatar are evolving at pace. There is considerable population growth and a huge reliance on imports and outside expertise in areas such as tourism, infrastructure and technology. The Irish do very well in the Arab world and the opportunities are vast. I think we’ve only just scratched the surface and there’s never been a better time to explore what the region has to offer. The Arab Irish Business Forum is an incredible opportunity to hear the inside track from business leaders already exporting to or doing business in the Gulf and Middle East and I think the learnings and networking will prove invaluable.”

Speakers at the Arab Irish Business Forum include former Tourism chief, Niall Gibbons; country manager for Emirates, Anita Thomas, COO of the Bahrain Stock Exchange, Abdulla Adbin, Expo2020 technology head, Mohammed Al Hashmi, economist, Jim Power, Ian Cahill of Flahavan’s and Ahmad Younis, CEO of the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce.

Irish exports to Middle East & Gulf hit €1.46 billion for first half of 2023

Irish exports to Middle East & Gulf hit €1.46 billion for first half of 2023

Exports to Saudi Arabia continue on upward trajectory

Conference to support Irish businesses trade with the Arab world confirmed for September

August 2023: Irish exports to the Arab World reached €1.46 billion for the first half of 2023 with notable increases in exports to Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. The CEO of the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce, Ahmad Younis says that while Ireland is trading strongly with the Middle East and Gulf, “they are regions that are still underexploited in terms of the opportunities they offer Irish businesses”.

The Arab world comprises 22 countries, many of which are experiencing rapidly growing economies, and populations. Countries such as Saudi Arabia are investing billions of dollars in infrastructure, urban development and tourism and, with trade agreements with the EU making access to these markets easier than ever before, the potential for Irish businesses to tap into these markets is significant.

In addition to merchandise, the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce estimates that trade in services², worth an estimated €4 billion in 2022, will meet if not exceed the overall value of goods exported to the Arab states this year.

January to June 2022 V 2023 export figures¹ (merchandise / goods only)

Saudi Arabia, 6% growth in Irish exports to €464M
Morocco, 21% growth in Irish exports to €69M
Tunisia, from a lower base but experiencing growth of 148% with Irish exports hitting €17M in the first half of 2023
Algeria, with a growing population of some 45M people and offering significant potential: 118% growth in Irish exports to €5.8M during the same period

Global leader in technology & innovation announced for Dublin conference

Global leader in technology & innovation announced for Dublin conference

Significant opportunities for Ireland’s technology businesses in Middle East & Gulf States says Chamber CEO

The 2023 Arab-Irish Business Forum will feature speakers from both Ireland and the Arab states, including one of the foremost figures in the fields of technology and innovation, Dubai EXPO’s Chief Technology Innovation officer, Mohammed Al Hashmi.

CEO of the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce in Dublin, Ahmad Younis welcomed the addition of Mohammed Al Hashmi to the conference speaker line-up, highlighting the importance of the event for Ireland’s technology, communications and fintech businesses looking to identify new opportunities for growth beyond Europe and the US.

“With his visionary leadership and deep expertise in digital transformation, Mohammed Al Hashmi played a pivotal role in shaping the technological landscape of one of the world's most anticipated events, EXPO 2020 Dubai, which was attended by 20 million visitors,” said Ahmad Younis. “His extensive experience and expertise will be of real benefit to Irish business leaders and we are fortunate that Mohammed Al Hashmi has agreed to share his insights, including those from the last EXPO at the forthcoming Arab-Irish Business Forum.” World EXPOs provide a platform to showcase the greatest innovations that shape the world in which we live.

The Arab-Irish Business Forum will also feature sectors such as travel and tourism, food & drink and financial services with key note addresses and panel discussions with Irish SMEs on their experience of doing business with the Arab world. The event is being jointly organised by the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce, Bord Bia, Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and Emirates Airline.

Taking place in the Mansion House in Dublin on 13 September 2023, tickets are available now from www.arabirishbusinessforum.ie

#AIBF2023

Notes to editors:

About Mohammed Al Hashmi

Throughout his career, Al Hashmi has demonstrated a passion for pushing the boundaries of what technology can achieve. He possesses a keen ability to identify emerging trends and leverage them to drive innovation and enhance organisational performance. His forward-thinking mindset has allowed him to stay ahead of the curve as he helped position EXPO 2020 Dubai as a leading force in the digital realm.

For EXPO 2020 Dubai Al Hashmi spearheaded numerous transformative initiatives. He has been instrumental in developing a cutting-edge digital infrastructure that seamlessly integrates various technological components, including data analytics, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Under his guidance, EXPO 2020 Dubai became a global showcase for advanced technology solutions.

Beyond his role at EXPO 2020 Dubai, Al Hashmi actively participates in technology forums and industry conferences, sharing his insights and experiences with fellow professionals. He is passionate about advocating for digital transformation and its potential to revolutionise various sectors, ranging from business and education to healthcare and sustainability.

Export Opportunities in the Arab World Stephen Twomey’s Interview

Click below to hear Stephen Twomey, Director Middle East and North Africa, Enterprise Ireland

Export opportunities for Irish businesses to the Arab world | RadioKerry.ie

Former Tourism Chief Niall Gibbons announced for Arab-Irish Business Conference

Former tourism chief Niall Gibbons announced for Arab-Irish business conference Significant opportunities for Ireland’s travel & tourism businesses in Middle East & Gulf States says Chamber CEO 16 June 2023: With business opportunities in the Arab world growing year on year details of a conference for companies looking beyond the EU to grow and expand their businesses were announced today.

CEO of the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce in Dublin, Ahmad Younis highlighted the importance of the forthcoming conference for Ireland’s travel and tourism businesses looking to identify new opportunities for growth. “There are significant opportunities for Irish businesses to assist markets in the Middle East and Gulf states in developing their tourism capacity and Ireland’s reputation in hospitality, travel and tourism is recognised the world over,” said Ahmad Younis. “Areas such as training, infrastructure, construction, technology and other tourism solutions are in demand in key markets across the Arab world, so we are particularly pleased to announce former CEO of Tourism Ireland, Niall Gibbons to the line-up of speakers at the forthcoming Arab Irish Business Forum.”

The 2023 Arab-Irish Business Forum will feature speakers from the Arab states alongside business leaders from Ireland who are already doing business there. The event will take place in the Mansion House in Dublin on 13 September 2023. Now based in Saudi Arabia, Niall Gibbons, was recently appointed head of tourism at NEOM, a global development underway in northwest Saudi Arabia backed by a $500 billion investment. Niall will address the conference on his experiences, offering a unique perspective, insight and advice to Irish businesses looking east for new opportunities. The conference will cover a wide range of sectors including travel and tourism, food & drink, financial services and fintech. It will also feature panel discussions with Irish SMEs on their experience of doing business with the Arab world.

The event is being jointly organised by the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce, Bord Bia, Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and Emirates Airline.

Conference to spotlight opportunities for Irish businesses in the Arab states

Conference to spotlight opportunities for Irish businesses in the Arab states

Irish food & drink exports to the Middle East up 15% (Q1 2023)
Significant growth in volumes of Irish cheese, butter & chocolate
Former tourism chief, Niall Gibbons to address conference

6 June 2023: With export opportunities for Irish businesses to the Arab world growing year on year and with export figures reaching a record high in 2022¹, details of a leading business event for companies looking beyond the EU to grow and expand their businesses were announced today.

The 2023 Arab-Irish Business Forum will feature speakers from the Arab states alongside business leaders from Ireland who are already doing business there. The event will take place in the Mansion House in Dublin on Wednesday, 13 September 2023. Hundreds of delegates are expected to attend the fourth of what has become one of the most important events in the calendar for business leaders looking for new export or other international business opportunities.

€86.7M

Details of the conference were announced on the back of the latest figures from Bord Bia, which highlighted 15% growth² in food and drink exports to the Middle East for Q1 2023 (V same period 2022). For the first quarter of 2023, more than €86.7million² worth of Irish food and drinks products departed Ireland for countries across the Middle East with notable increases in:

Butter: exports of Irish butter grew by 99% from €1.83M to €3.64M
Cheese: rising 115% from €4.68M to €10.07M in Q1 2023 and
Irish chocolate, exports of which increased by more than 68% from €706,237 to almost €1.19M

Scale up

Last year Ireland exported¹ almost €3 billion worth of goods to the Arab states and the conference will spotlight Irish businesses operating in or exporting to the region, with advice and insight on how Irish businesses can get started or scale up.

Hosted by journalist and broadcaster, Dearbhail McDonald, the conference will cover a wide range of sectors including food & drink, financial services and fintech, travel and tourism and construction. It will also feature panel discussions with Irish SMEs on their experience of doing business with the Arab world along with keynote speeches from business leaders from a number of Arab countries.

Speakers will include:

Former Tourism Ireland CEO, Niall Gibbons, who is now head of tourism at NEOM, a global development underway in northwest Saudi Arabia backed by a $500 billion investment
Financial services and information technology leaders from Bahrain and the UAE
Managing Director of RED MILLS International FZE (animal nutrition) in Dubai, Michael Connolly
Suzanne Browne, co-founder and commercial director of ClevaMama, an award-winning Irish baby brand exporting to the Middle East
Nick Cole, CEO of DAA International and former MD of Terminal 5, King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh
Declan Fearon of Tipperary Crystal and Six Flags Qiddiya, a new destination city in Saudi Arabia based on the pillars of entertainment, sport and culture and which offers multiple opportunities for contractors, suppliers, strategic capital and infrastructure partners