Middle East Opportunities for UK Business

The Middle East is one of the world's most important source of energy. Producing about 37% of the world's oil and 18% of its gas this region is key to the stability of the global economy and offers a huge range of opportunities for UK companies.

Join us for a discussion with Simon Penney Her Majesty’s Consul General to Dubai and Trade Commissioner for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MEAP). Simon will share insights on one of the most important and diverse regions for UK Trade UK’s departure from the EU. In this session, Simon will provide some key insights into the areas of opportunity, how to successfully do business in the region and give BEI members the chance to have their questions answered.

Simon Penney was appointed as Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HTMC) for the Middle East in May 2018 and has a significant amount of experience leading corporate and financial institution groups and teams across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Despite various conflicts and destabilisation in the region, the Middle East is continuing to emerge as a world leader in a number of key sectors of interest to British exporters. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE are now embarking on huge diversification programmes as they begin to transition away from their dependency of fossil fuels; in turn providing the UK with some great opportunities to do business in the region.

As the Trade Commissioner, Simon is responsible for growing the overall bilateral trade and investment relationship; improving market access for British companies, including small and medium sized businesses (SMEs); developing finance and trade policy and overseeing UK Export Finance.

Arrival: 12:30 for 13:00-14:15