Topics covered ranged from legal and financial issues to Arab culture and tradition.  Case studies were given by business leaders to demonstrate the real potential of these new and exciting markets.  Michael Thomas - Director General, Middle East Association - chaired the event.

Event Presentations to Download

Presentations that the speakers agreed we could use are included below.

Right click on the link and select save target to save the presentations and stop them opening automatiaclly in Microsoft PowerPoint.

The Banking Sectors In Saudi Arabia & UAE - Alex Biggs, Royal Bank of Scotland
The Pitfalls of the UAE Legal System - Chris Greenwell, Nelsons Solicitors
Case Study:  Saudi Arabia - Dave Duffew, Castle College Nottingham
Doing Business in Saudi Arabia - David Lloyd OBE, The Middle East Association
Case Study:  Saudi Arabia and UAE, Similarities and Differences - Peter Lloyd, R & D Tool and Engineering Limited
Routes to Market, UAE - Steve Barton, UKTI
Case Study: UAE - Terry Wilson, Findel Education Limited

Programme

09:15  Registration & refreshments

10:00  Welcome & Introduction - Michael Thomas, Director General, Middle East Association (Chairman)

10:05  Doing Business in the UAE - Michael Thomas, Director General, Middle East Association

10:30 Doing Business in Saudi Arabia - David Lloyd, Consultant, Middle East Association

11:40  Session 1 Workshops

Workshop 1: Don't They Know It's Friday: Arab Language & Culture - Jeremy Williams, Managing Director, Handshaikh Ltd

Workshop 2: Route to Market - Steve Barton, International Trade Advisor, UKTI East Midlands

Workshop 3: Legal and Financial Framework - Chris Greenwell, Partner, Nelsons Solicitors, Alex Biggs, Director, Global & Banking Markets, RBS

12:25  Session 2 Workshops

Workshop 4: Case Study UAE - Findel International: Terry Wilson

Workshop 5: Case Study Saudi Arabia - Castle College Nottingham: Dave Duffew

Workshop 6: Case Study UAE & Saudi Arabia - R&D Tool & Engineering: Peter Lloyd

13:05  Move to plenary

13:10  Closing Remarks from Chair - Michael Thomas, Director General, Middle East Association

13:15  Lunch & Networking

About the Chair

Michael Thomas has enjoyed a varied and distinguished career. He has worked for Unilever, British Oxygen, COMET (Committee for Middle East Trade), and most recently was appointed as Director General of the Middle East Association.

Sounds interesting...how do I find out more?

Download the Saudi Arabia & UAE flyer for a full breakdown of what was covered at the event.