The Arab Irish Journal

Issue 1 SEPT 2012 ISSN 2009-499X

THE ARAB-IRISH JOURNAL THE ARAB-IRISH JOURNAL THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE JAICC – CONNECTING THE CONNECTED IN IRELAND AND THE ARAB STATES

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE JAICC

The Joint Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce

Issue 1 2012 ISSN 2009 -499X

PLUS... TRADE STATS FOR THE ARAB WORLD \\ ISLAMIC FINANCE \\ LOUIS MAGUIRE FOOD SAFETY \\ RCSI \\ SEA FOOD \\ IRISH EXPORTS AND MUCH MORE...

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In This Issue

CO N N EC T I N G T H E CO N N EC T E D I N I R EL A N D A N D TH E A R A B STATES

The official Publication of the jAICC

THE ARAB IRISH JOURNAL ISSN 2009-499x

Publisher Abbeyville Communications and Media Limited The Arab-Irish Journal Suite 127 Grange Hill, Baldoyle Ind Park, Baldoyle, Dublin 13, Ireland Tel: +353 (0) 1 806 3000 Fax: +353 (0) 1 806 3001 Int: +353 1 8063000 Email: info@arabirishjournal.com Web: www.arabirishjournal.com ie.linkedin.com/pub/arab-irish-journal Managing Director Michael O’Driscoll michael@arabirishjournal.com Sales & Marketing Director Dermot Hogan dermot@arabirishjournal.com Photographer/Journalist (Intern) Tony Kidd tony@arabirishjournal.com

Member Firm Legal Advisor Peppe Santoro www.venturelaw.ie Graphic Design www.minx.ie Printing www.castleprint.ie Distribution www.lettershop.ie

The Joint Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce

JAICC 60 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Tel: + 353 (0)1 662 4451 Fax:+ 353 (0)1 662 4729 Email: info@jaicc.ie Web: www.jaicc.ie Ahmad Younis Secretary-General Chief Executive Officer Louis Maguire Chairman Joe Geoghegan Director And Treasurer Evelyn Harrington Assistant To The Secretary-General Carol Joyce Office Assistant Rafal Sabir Head Of Translations Margaret Dorgan Communications Consultant

WELCOME. W

e take this opportunity to welcome you to the first issue of the ”The ARAB-IRISH JOURNAL” a new magazine published by Abbeyville Communications and Media ltd, in conjunction with the Joint Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce (JAICC) .

Celebrating its 25th year in business, the JAICC continues to grow and expand its services to Irish Companies who are exporting to the Arab Countries. The continued growth in trade between Ireland and the Arab nations has seen an 8% increase in trade from 2010 to 2011, with a value of some 1.6 Billion Euro.

The JAICC is a key service provider and facilitator in providing the necessary documentation for exporters to the Arab nations. They also provide a host of other services that exporters may require, such as translation services. We have endeavored in this first issue to give some history to the background in the formation of the JAICC, which is an interesting story in itself, and the people involved.

We hope that this publication will increase awareness of the scale and volume of business conducted between Ireland and the Arab nations, whilst also alerting those who have not yet explored these markets, to do so.

This first issue has been brought to fruition, thank to the co-operation of the JAICC, most importantly to Evelyn Harrington and Ahmad Younis for their encouragement from the outset, to Joe Geoghegan and Louis Maguire for their time in giving an insight to the history of developing relationships with the Arab nations and more.

A special word of thanks to all the Irish ex-pats, who took the time to meet us whilst we were undertaking market research into the need for this publication.

The economic recovery of Ireland we believe has begun, it is in our hands to maintain and sustain that recovery. The majority of the Arab nations are back in economic growth mode and have growing population profiles. They have a need for products and services that Ireland can supply. Go and explore these market opportunities whilst also finding new friends and partners, which will last a lifetime.

Finally to all our contributors, thank you for your articles on such a variety of topics. Of course our Advertisers deserve special mention for their support to this new publication, we hope we will through this endeavor, return that faith and trust you have invested in us.

Last but most important to Margaret Dorgan, for her guidance and direction on behalf of the JAICC, it has been invaluable.

We hope you enjoy this publication and we welcome any comments and suggestions.

Michael Editor michael@arabirishjournal.com

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 Arab Irish Journal | 1

In This Issue

Contents 4

JAICC Mr. Ahmad R. Younis,SecretaryGeneral,speaking to Michael O’Driscoll;

8

JAICC “That must be Maguire again” Profile of Louis J. Maguire Chairman of JAICC

11

JAICC Joe Geoghegan Treasures and Founder Director of the JAICC gives his view on potential

14 16 19

News

A Case Study with Enterprise Ireland Woodfit success in the Gulf

Irish Exporters Association Exporters to the Gulf by John F. Whelan,Chief Executive,Irish Exporters Association

20

Bord Bia Irish food and drink exports with Breiffini Kennedy Bord Bia

22

Sea Food Ireland can be the seafood basket for the Emirates by Sean Doran

24

Food Safety Dr Grainne Redmond presents an overview of food safety control in Ireland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

27

Associated Marketing Significant opportunity for Irish medical and healthcare products in the Arab World

28 30 32

Royal College Of Surgeons Ireland

News

Oil Field Solutions Oil Field Solutions Ltd. (OFS) is an Irish company established in 2002 to meet the growing needs of the international Oil and Gas Energy Markets

34

Engineers Ireland Tom Riordan M.I.E.I, 15 Years in the Gulf and Counting

36

Trade and Commerce Figures and Stats from Ireland’s Trade with the Arab World.

59

Saudi Arabia-Irish Relations Minister Joe Costello T.D on a recent visit to Saudi Arabia Ireland largest Trading partner in the Arab World

www.arabirishjournal.com 2 | The Arab Irish Journal

In This Issue

60

UAE The UAE Ambassador, H.E. Khalid Lootah, the arrival of the UAE embassy in Dublin

63

Bahrain The Bahraini Ambassador, H.E. Ms. Alice Thomas Samaan,presents her credentials to President Michael D.Higgins

64

Colm Mc Loughlin The Dubai Duty Free Boss is the most popular Irish Man in the Gulf

68

Libya Businessman David Breen speaks about some of the biggest opportunities for Irish firms in North Africa

70 72

Kildare Village Shop in Style Kildare Village leads the way.

Fingals Flying Fingal Dublin Chambers Growing Exports to the Middle East with Tony Lambert

74

Islamic Finance Ireland recognises the potential of Islamic Finance with Tom Woods of KPMG

76

World Energy Forum The United Arab Emirates is looking forward to welcoming the World Energy Forum 2012

78 82 84

News

Motor Sport Jay McCarthy talks about Irish rallying

Art Irish painter Claudio Viscardi’s exhibition at the Dubai Ladies Club

86 87

Book Review The Stolen Village by Des Ekin

Art and Culture Eoin Turner The Irishman’s classic design and technological skills are striking and distinctive.

88

Hotels The Bonnington Towers European-style hospitality amidst the fast growing business districts of New Dubai

90

Irish Societies There is a strong Irish community in the Gulf countries with Irish societies and GAA clubs active in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

94

Bridging The Gulf Dublin To Dubai Life’s a journey not a destination... says Ankur Bagga

www.arabirishjournal.com The Arab Irish Journal | 3

JAICC

The Joint Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce

The Joint Arab Irish Chamber Of Commerce Mr. Ahmad R. Younis, Secretary-General Mr. Ahmad R. Younis, SecretaryGeneral, speaking to Michael O’Driscoll;

4 | The Arab Irish Journal

As Secretary General of the Joint Arab Irish Chamber of commerce (JAICC) I very much welcome this first edition of ‘The Arab Irish Journal’, the official journal of the JAICC . This journal will highlight and comment on major economic developments in the Arab world and their impact on the trade relations and opportunities between Ireland and the Arab region. I would like to extend my appreciation to all involved in getting this inaugural edition off the ground.

The chamber has a very special place in my heart, as it was my late father Mr. Rakan Younis who, as the first Secretary General, steered the JAICC from its foundation in 1987 until his untimely death in March 2004. He was instrumental in promoting and developing the Chamber and its remit to the position it holds today amongst its many stakeholders. Indeed as a child, I have fond memories of our family home frequently welcoming Arab Ambassadors and dignitaries with my father deep in business discussions and haggling, whilst my mother entertained their wives.

For the past twenty-five years, the JAICC has been instrumental in developing relations between Ireland the Arab world. It has acted as an important

bridge between the Arab and Irish business communities, establishing invaluable links that may not have existed otherwise.

In 1987 trade to the Arab states from Ireland was valued at 256 million euro. The equivalent trade figures for 2011, between Ireland and the Arab states were a staggering 1.6 billion euro. That is an astounding 625% growth in the intervening 25 years.

That is a phenomenal performance by whatever standards you may wish to apply. Especially when one considers that this consistent growth in trade has been achieved against a backdrop of local and global economic uncertainty particularly in the past four / five years, as well the political upheaval which has caused certain markets in the region to dwindle or disappear from time to time, during this period.

Figures for 2011 indicate an 8% growth year on year and highlights the critical importance of the Arab market to Irish Exporters.

The JAICC is a key component for the creation, development and maintenance of economic trade between Ireland and the Arab states which the JAICC represents. The day to day operations at the JAICC are primarily concerned with providing and processing the necessary commercial documentation

JAICC

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JAICC

Evelyn Harrington, Assistant to the Secretary-General, Carol Joyce, Office Manager, Rafal Sabir, Head of Translations

to exporters from Ireland to the Arab markets. The two most important documents which an exporter has to prepare for shipments to the Arab countries are the JAICC Certificate of Origin and an original invoice. Both of these documents are required for every shipment even if the goods are being supplied free of charge.

The backbone of all long standing efficient organisations in my view is its staff. At the JAICC our staff are highly experienced in the provision of advice and guidance about the required documentation for each Arab country as well as the many other facets of our key services. In both Ms Evelyn Harrington and Rafal Younis who have been at the fore-front of these services for the past 24 and 18 years respectively, the chamber has enjoyed a dedicated, loyal and hard working team. Their work has contributed greatly to the success of the chamber along with its latest team member, Carol Joyce who has been with the chamber for the last five years.

JAICC Certificates of Origin, critical as they are to the exporters, are only one of many expanding services which we at the Chamber provide, Embassy Legalisation 6 | The Arab Irish Journal

in many cases is also required, and will only be accepted by some Arab Embassies provided they have been checked and certified by the JAICC in advance, and indeed submitted to them directly by the JAICC. Other services provided by us include eCertification (which can significantly reduce turnaround time on an exporter’s documentation), Translation services, Certificates of Conformity, Visas for JAICC members only, Department of Foreign Affairs Stamps, Notarised Documents, Product Registration, and Company Registration. Depending on which Arab country you are exporting to the criteria may vary, and some or all of the services provided by the JAICC may be required.

As we approach the Chamber’s 25th anniversary celebrations the Chamber is not resting on its past achievements. We are already looking at ways to further increase trade between JAICC ‘s member states and Ireland. The Chamber has initiated a series of market focused meetings with key business figures from the Arab world. In these forums Irish business people who have an interest in these Arab markets can meet face-to-face with their

Arab counterparts to further discuss and hopefully develop trade and investment potential. These round table discussions are bringing key decision makers from the Arab states in direct contact with their Irish counterparts and are opening up new opportunities to be explored.

As Secretary General, Ahmad Younis and his staff need to be vigilant as import rules and regulations of some countries can change overnight without notice.

The experience and skills of the Secretary General and his staff in dealing with these and other similar situations are important in ensuring the smooth processing of critical trade documentation and procedures. Working in tandem with the relevant parties, and often in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland and the Arab embassies they invariably resolve all such issues in an efficient manner.

To maintain and expand the trade between Ireland and the countries that we represent requires sustained effort at building new relationships, maintaining current and past relationships, whilst respecting the wishes, culture and traditions of potential new trading partners. The Arabs are traditionalist in

JAICC

that from the outset of developing new business opportunities or ideas they have a strong preference to meet face-to-face and to maintain direct personal contact. This point is illustrated well by looking at Ireland’s three largest trading partners in the region - Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Each of these countries has an embassy in Dublin and Ireland has an embassy in each of these countries. Constant direct contact leads to a growing relationship in all spheres.

Other areas of potential growth identified by the Chamber include education and tourism.

Strong links between the Arab states and Ireland already exist in the educational arena. The Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland and other third level institutions from Ireland already have strong and expanding links and presence in the region to meet the requirements of a rapidly growing young population. There is significant scope to develop this area of business in the future.

Tourism is yet another industry with enormous potential. Travel between Ireland and all these Arab countries has never been easier. With direct daily flights between Dublin and Abu Dhabi provided

by Etihad Airlines, matched by similar daily flights between Dublin and Dubai provided by Emirates Airlines, both Etihad and Emirates Airlines have recently indicated that they are looking to increase the frequency of daily flights on their respective routes in the short to medium term.Other carriers to serve the region include Turkish Airlines from Dublin and KLM from Cork.

In order to fully develop and build on this market segment the issue of obtaining a visa is and has been a major issue for the intending Arab tourist. The Irish government has a role to play in easing this process. In order to attract more Arab visitors Irish hotels and restaurants will also need to tailor their offering with consideration to the dietary needs of

the Arab tourist, which are somewhat different to that of his / her Irish counterpart.

The obstacles and hurdles that need to be overcome in order to gain and sustain market share in the Arab countries can be addressed with the right knowledge and the right approach. This is why we at the JAICC should be, and more frequently are, a first port of call for many Irish companies looking to expand into these markets. With an excellent working relationship with Enterprise Ireland, the JAICC is ready and equipped to assist any person or company who wishes to explore these new opportunities especially from the perspective of the legal and official documentary requirements of doing business in the Arab markets.

The Arab Irish Journal | 7

JAICC

Louis J. Maguire

That must be Maguire again...

“That must be Maguire again”, was often times heard in the corridors of power in the late 1960’s, and one suspects still resonates. Louis J. Maguire to be precise, the trail blazing Mayo man, whom even though born and raised on the Atlantic seaboard, whose next parish to the west was New York or Boston, had since an early age a desire to explore the Middle East and North Africa.

Pursuing his Leaving Certificate in St. Jarlath’s College, boarding school in Tuam, this interest was further aroused by studying his favourite subject Geography and people like the famous Geographer, Dudley Stamp.

During the 1960’s Louis set about making contacts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) mainly through Ambassadors based in London and accredited to Ireland. He found them most accommodating and interested in opening up opportunities for trade between their respective countries and Ireland. At that time 80% of Ireland ‘s exports went to the UK market. Louis made representations to various Government

8 | The Arab Irish Journal

Ministers and their Departments throughout this period without success , to organize trade missions to these new markets, as that was the key to unlock these potentially lucrative markets and also possibly ensure our oil supply, for our growing industrial and manufacturing base.

Despite this Louis continued to visit the Arab Ambassadors ever year, maintaining and building relationships, something he has done annually. The years passed by and as no trade mission had been sent by the Irish Government, Louis , ‘took the bull by the horns’ and in 1972 visited Libya. He arrived home with an order for 1000 head of live cattle, as well as orders for other products such as Wavin piping, and Basta Ironmongery. The first steps had been taken, and within a few years Official Government Trade Missions became the norm to the MENA countries.

Louis makes it abundantly clear that the role of the Ambassadors and their staff was critical to the success of his, and Irish

JAICC

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JAICC

A SELECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

Government missions to the region at that time and ever since. During the early years Louis states “They were extremely helpful not alone would they give me the names of the relevant Ministers that I should meet, they would also set up the appointments with the Ministers for me. You have to be cognizant of the fact that at this time the communications systems that we take for granted today were nonexistent. No mobile phones, no 10 | The Arab Irish Journal

fax machines, no internet, and that travelling to these countries was indeed very expensive and difficult, not to even mention organizing a travel visa.

It is also important to understand that all of the business conducted with the Ambassadors was in London as none of these countries, with the exception of Egypt, had Embassies based in Ireland but would have been by and large accredited to Ireland.

Louis was the founder

of the“ Council for Arab Irish Relations” (C.A.I.R) during the 1970’s with the aims of increasing mutual knowledge and understanding between the people of Ireland and their Arab counterparts, and to continue to build our trade and commerce. During 1980 a good friend Mr. Abdul Karim Al-Mudaris, Secretary-General of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, following up on a proposal made

by H.E Sheikh Faisal Alhegelan, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, that C.A.I.R. form an ‘Irish Arab Chamber of Commerce’. Because of financial constraints and other commitments this was not to happen until 1987.

Whilst business continued to grow between Ireland and the MENA countries during the early 1980’s, with Coras Trachtala / The Irish Export Board providing most of the necessary shipping and commercial documentation processing services to Irish exporters, the balance by the ArabBritish Chamber of Commerce, there was an obvious need for an Arab –Irish Chamber of Commerce, which could provide a complete ‘one stop shop’

JAICC

service to Irish companies.

With the backing of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab countries, with its Headquarters in Beirut, simply known as the General Union, Mr. Rakan Younis arrived in Ireland in the mid 1980’s with the specific goal of establishing the “Joint Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce”.

The Chamber was established in 1987, and received the full support of Coras Trachtala / The Irish Export Board which transferred all of its documentation processing services to the new chamber.

It was initially funded by a loan from the Arab-British Chamber and by Mr. Younis personally. The Board of Directors consisted of representatives from the public and private sectors in Ireland as well as their Arab counterparts, and has continued with that structure to this day. Louis Maguire is the Non-Executive Chairman of “The Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce” and continues with his trade and relationship building with the Arab Nations.

Louis J. Maguire’s passion and vision may have seemed like a dream to many all those years ago. His

steadfast determination and love for his country from the outset has seen links between this small country and the Arab nations grow on an exponential base. He believes that Ireland Inc, should have Ambassadors in more Arab countries as this would improve our chances of creating more trade opportunities, including Tourism, as well as enhancing our understanding of their cultures, and the customs of these

great nations. He is quick to point out that the Arabs were the first to bring us the written word, mathematics, are credited with the invention of the wheel, had an understanding of astronomy, and created the first civilized societies.

Recalling 25 years and several decades prior we have to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Louis J. Maguire and his wife Theresa and their family for their service to this country.

The Arab Irish Journal | 11

JAICC

Joe Geoghegan Founder /Director JAICC A landscape of growing and evolving demand for decades to come With exports of ₏1.6bn last year, the Arab markets represent Ireland’s third biggest market region outside of Europe , coming after the U.S. and China.

And Irish exports to the Arab countries have been growing steadily year after year, and can be expected to continue to do so into the foreseeable future. Total exports to the region grew by 8% in 2011, twice the national average.

It is a well known fact that a significant portion of the world’s known reserves of oil and gas are located in the Arab region and that they will be exporting these valuable commodities for the next fifty years at least.

This means that these major oil exporting countries will continue to receive very high levels of foreign earnings which will be used to fund the development and growth of their respective economies for decades to come.

On top of that, these same countries have a rate of population growth that is above the world average, and these rising populations will create and sustain a thriving and expanding consumer market.

The nature and pattern of demand in the Arab markets over the next twenty to fifty years will change according to the stage of economic and social development in each country.

Take Iraq and Libya for example: these are two oil rich countries which are emerging from several decades of restricted investment and political difficulties. They are now at the early stages of the development cycle where the emphasis must be on the development of their national infrastructure and 12 | The Arab Irish Journal

the rapid improvement in their basic government services.

So we can expect to see a lot of spending over the next ten to twenty years on large, medium and small civil engineering projects such as roads, bridges, ports and harbours, airports, water and sewage works, telecommunications, power generation and transmission. There will also be heavy investment in social infrastructure such as hospitals and clinics, schools, public housing, government buildings and administrative facilities of all kinds.

Likewise there will be a need to invest in rebuilding government services such as education, health services, national security and public administration.

These two countries will need to import outside goods, expertise and services to assist with these major development activities, and they will have the money to pay for them. They therefore offer attractive opportunities for Irish companies and consortia which have the right products or services to offer, and who do the necessary homework and make the necessary preparations to deserve to win the business.

As these economies develop their demand patterns will change in the decades ahead. A need for basic education will change to a desire for higher standards and better schools, including private schools; the need for essential consumer goods will change to a demand for better quality, more variety and increasingly for branded goods; the retail sector will develop and modernise rapidly;

JAICC

these rising populations will create and sustain a thriving and expanding consumer market.

growing affluence will increase the opportunities for private medical facilities to supplement the state services, and growing international awareness and exposure will create a growing tourism market in both directions.

These countries will also face the major challenge of providing gainful employment for a continuously growing population. Apart from ensuring a quality education, the governments will also need to provide technical and other training opportunities for the young, as well as an environment which will foster and encourage investment and entrepreneurial ventures to create new sustainable jobs for the young.

Again, these needs will present new opportunities for Irish businesses to engage directly in these markets through such activities as joint ventures, direct investments, supply agreements, acquisitions, licensing deals and so on.

If we turn our attention away now from Iraq and Libya, and look at some of the other oil producers which are farther along the development curve, we can see how their requirements have changed as they moved ahead. Much of the major infrastructural requirements in the UAE and Saudi Arabia for example have been met by now.However, demand has not stopped, it has continued to grow and it has changed. In fact these countries give us a good indication of what will happen in Iraq, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Sudan and other oil producers in the decades ahead.

The Chamber will adapt to change After twenty five years of service dedicated to supporting Irish exporters with their legal and commercial documentation requirements for the Arab markets, the Chamber is now poised to expand its range of activities to further assist Irish exporters

Joe Geoghegan, Honorary Consul, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

and the state agencies to win a bigger share of these growing markets.

The provision of Certification and Legalisation services, vital for safe and efficient trade with the region, will remain the Chamber’s core activity and area of expertise, but additional plans include the greater use of technology to deliver faster services, more targeted research of interest to Irish industry, greater involvement in promoting awareness of Ireland’s supply capability in the Arab markets, and closer collaboration with the key state organisations promoting trade especially Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, Tourism Ireland and, of course, the Irish embassies and Irish Business groups in the region.

The Chamber has recently commissioned some detailed macroeconomic research into the areas of opportunity for Ireland in the Arab region in the decades ahead, and we will report in some detail on the results of this work in future editions of the Arab-Irish Journal.

The Arab Irish Journal | 13

The Arab Irish Journal News

News Tunisia seeks $1 billion loan

Tunisia

Tunisia is negotiating a loan of $1 billion from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, AFP reported on Saturday (August 11th). The funds will be spent on infrastructure projects, job creation and efforts to help private sector recovery, Investment Minister Riadh Bettaieb said on Friday.

The government forecasts 4.5% GDP growth in 2013. Islamic banking may enter Morocco. The Moroccan parliament is set to vote on the new draft banking law, which may give a boost to Shariacompliant finance.

[AFP/Abdelhak Senna] Central Bank Governor Abdellatif Jouahri says that Islamic finance may soon become a reality in Morocco.

Islamic banks may soon gain a foothold in Morocco. The move has been expected since the Justice and Development Party (PJD), advocates of Islamic finance, came to power.

The parliament is set to vote on the new draft banking law in September. The bill will include a special chapter dealing with Islamic banking, according to Central Bank Governor Abdellatif Jouahri.

The central bank has already received two foreign requests for permission to invest in the sector. The applications will be studied after the law is passed.

A day after Abdelilah Benkirane was officially appointed as prime minister by the king, he hosted the leader of Qatar’s international Islamic bank. The head of government received proposals for two schemes: an Islamic bank and an Islamic insurance company.

Once the banks are set up, a national committee of ulemas will be created with the purpose of ensuring that bank transactions are conducted in line with the laws of Islam.

Under the concept of Islamic finance, loans cannot be a source of profit, and interest charges are banned. Lending

14 | The Arab Irish Journal

cannot be used as a form of commerce.

Money can be used as capital funding to support commerce but cannot be the object of commerce. The finance awarded by the bank therefore implies that the bank itself will share in both the profits and the losses.

The minister delegate responsible for the budget, Driss Azami El Idrissi of the PJD, appears optimistic. He stressed that Islamic banks have managed to inject financial dynamism into the countries where they are established.

According to economist Mohamed Cherrafi, Islamic banking can be a good alternative, provided that a certain amount of fiscal neutrality is ensured and double taxation removed.

Islamic finance has a promising future, given that the total amount of money circulating in the sector worldwide was estimated to reach around a trillion dollars last year, he said, which was 50% higher than in 2008 and 21% higher than in 2010.

The introduction of Islamic banking will encourage saving and increase the proportion of the population with bank accounts, according to sociologist Samira Kassimi.

“It’s time to set up financial tools to meet the needs of all Moroccans,” she said.

“We have to instil a new spirit of economic competition which fits both their culture and religion.”

While some people don’t see the value of setting up Islamic banks, others are anxious to see them open.

Governor Abdellatif Jouahri

Religion should not be used as the basis when considering banking products, opined managerial assistant Souad Bourji. The world has moved on, and the public must choose the products most suited to them, be they Islamic or traditional, she said.

Teacher Rabiae Chennaoui, who has been following developments in Islamic finance in Morocco for years, holds a different opinion. “My religious convictions do not allow me to take out a loan. And the alternative products being offered by the banks are too expensive. I’m waiting for Islamic banks to be set up so that I can put my plans into action,” he said.

The Arab Irish Journal News

Morocco opens new coastal roadway

Libya

Telecom services gradually restored in Libya Recently restored internet service is leading to a spike in usage and straining an antiquated communications network in Libya.

[AFP/Joseph Eid] A resident of Sirte works to repair power lines. Officials say reconstruction is well under way in Misrata, Sirte and other heavily damaged communities.

Reconstruction is proceeding across Libya in a variety of vital sectors. Magharebia recently sat down with an official from the state telecom provider to see where things stand.

Engineer Mourad Belal, head of the media and documentation department at Libya Telecom and Technology, told Magharebia that under the old regime, the company was prevented from making necessary improvements in Libya's internet infrastructure.

"In the past, repression was gradual starting with blocking websites, to reducing speed and then completely turning off internet services in an attempt to hide facts that show the stark violation of all religious and humanitarian values and traditions," Belal said. "Service was restricted to a few people."

With regards to the destruction wrought

by Kadhafi's forces during the war, Belal said that "state facilities were turned into military bases for storage or fighting, making them legitimate targets for the international alliance as they posed threats to civilians. As a result, the telecom sector, together with all other sectors, was affected."

"Many antennas and switchboards were damaged, and the cable that was providing services to the eastern region was cut, disconnecting services to the entire region," he continued. "This is in addition to many other damages ranging in intensity from minor to gross damages."

The telecom engineer also said many facilities were damaged by looting in sabotage, including the main cables linking Tunisia and Libya.

Belal noted that the company has

completed several technical missions that have restored service to many areas, such as Misrata, Bani Walid and Sirte, which were among the cities that sustained some of the heaviest damage during the revolution.

At first, the telecom company offered service free of charge and without monthly limits. But the restoration of service has also led to an unprecedented growth in internet usage, forcing the state telecom provider to impose monthly bandwidth caps of 7 GB. For their part, Libyan internet users expressed dissatisfaction at the pace of development.

"We're still in the same old programme with the same prices although living conditions have changed and although there are some who don't receive salaries," said Mohammed al-Sharif, an accountant and internet user.

"The internet has now become necessary and essential," al-Sharif added. "If we compare prices with neighbouring countries, we'll find that they are very high, although the service should have been provided for a nominal value for the current period.

We've got tired of monopoly and restrictions.

Enough is enough."

Telecommunications engineer Abdel Razzak al-Bakhbakhi said that the old system was built by companies from China to meet proposals by Kadhafi's son Mohammed.

"Libya is a rich country and companies are supposed to be good, famous and international and should be from countries that make these items," he said, adding that he rejected foreign firms "because there are good Libyan engineers and technicians".

Meanwhile, Nasser Ibrahim called for opening the door to competition and changing contracts to benefit both the internet provider and the user.

"I'm against free service, but at the same time, the service should be provided for prices suitable to citizens' living conditions.

Citizens must be encouraged to use the internet and browse; we've seen how children access the internet, and this is a very advanced step," he said. "Countries are now measured by the number of internet users."

King Mohammed VI on Saturday (August 11th) inaugurated the final segment of a new 700 million-euro Moroccan coastal motorway, MAP reported.

The 507-km road, which began construction in 2007, will reduce travel time between Saidia and Tangier by three hours.

It also aims to help boost employment and tourism revenues and employment in the northern region.

With the new highway, some 120 km of beaches that had been hard to access could now “become attractive for both nationals and foreign tourists�, Transport Minister Rebbah Aziz said.

According to Aziz, tenders will be launched for the creation of marinas and various sports tourism projects.

Algeria to host new Arab archaeology centre Tipasa will be home to the Arab Centre for Archaeology Algerian Culture Minister Khalida Toumi on Tuesday (August 7th) laid the foundation stone for the new Arab Centre for Archaeology, APS reported.

The facility, built at the ancient site of Tipasa, will include educational resources, completed in 22 months.

Algeria first proposed the project in 2003 at the 17th ALECSO conference on Arab archaeology, which was held in Nouakchott.

Jordan, UAE discuss economic cooperation Dubai - Ministers of Finance and Planning and International Cooperation, Suleiman al-Hafez and Jafaar Hassan, met with UAE Finance Minister Sultan al-Mansouri and discussed with him the role of the Gulf Cooperation Council in supporting Jordan's economy.

The ministers also highlighted the Kingdom's reform drive in various walks of life.

Al-Hafez said that the two sides tackled cooperation in areas of energy, water and health. He added that Jordan is keen on holding the meetings of the joint Jordanian-UAE higher committee by yearend to familiarize UAE business leaders on available investment opportunities.

The Arab Irish Journal | 15

Enterprise Ireland Woodfit A Case Study

Making wood look good When the Irish construction market collapsed, help from Enterprise Ireland allowed the acoustic panels specialist Woodfit to win business in the lucrative Middle Eastern market.

16 | The Arab Irish Journal

Enterprise Ireland Woodfit A Case Study

When the Irish property bubble burst, the Westmeath wood fabrication company Woodfit found itself in territory familiar to most companies tightly linked to the construction industry in Ireland.

“It was like a tap that was suddenly turned off,” said MD Anthony Denby.

In a case of innovate and export or die, Denby rolled up his sleeves. A discussion at Enterprise Ireland’s International Markets Week encouraged him that massive building plans in Saudi Arabia would create a strong market for acoustic products.

Within eight months, Woodfit saw its first order, and, within the first year, the Gulf market had brought in total orders of €4m.

“We are winning a lot of business in Saudi,” Denby said. “Every week, there is an order here; we now have partners in Oman, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and we are trying to identify someone in Qatar. We are targeting conference facilities, particularly in high-end hotels like the Shangri-La, in the banking institutions and in high-end boardroom fit outs.

“We also target education, and, in particular, we target the Ministries of Education and the Ministries of Defence, because in all the training colleges for the Americans and the Saudis and Omanis have huge conference facilities. We have just won a contract for the Kuwait School of Music, which will be the school of music for the whole of the UAE. It’s a huge project that will be running for about four years.”

Jason Larkin, Woodfit’s business development manager for the Gulf region, credits the company’s success in the Middle East in no small part to assistance provide by Enterprise Ireland.

Back at home, this included the state agency providing Woodfit with funding for feasibility studies and R&D, which was used to set up a laboratory for preliminary testing of the acoustic panels and to develop specifications for the tooling required for fabrication. In addition, Woodfit engaged in new product development to customise some of its panels to suit the local aesthetic tastes of the Middle Eastern market.

Meanwhile, out in the marketplace, Enterprise Ireland’s local offices in Riyadh and Dubai provided vital introductions to potential customers and business partners on the ground.

Ikram Ur Rehman of Enterprise Ireland’s Riyadh office explains: “Woodfit entered the Middle Eastern market in 2009 as part of an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Saudi Arabia. We set up a full itinerary for three days. The company wanted to find a business partner here and get information about the market in terms of its size, competition, suppliers and end-users.

“The very first meeting resulted in Woodfit finding a partner. The meeting was with a Saudi company called Khalidia Hallstage, which was working on project at Nourah Univeristy in Riyadh, the largest all-female university in the world.

Woodfit’s product closely matched what its client

was looking for, and the Saudi company signed an order straight away.”

Subsequently, Woodfit entered into joint-venture arrangement, which appointed Khalidia Hallstage as the company’s agent in Saudi Arabia. “You won’t do business in this market without a local partner, so that introduction was key for us,” Larkin said.

The Riyadh office also introduced Woodfit to the Saudi Arabian Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) – a government entity, which operates a number of polytechnics – some in the process of building new auditorium facilities. “ We facilitated an inward buyer visit, whereby TVTC travelled to Ireland to see Woodfit’s facilities, view some of their projects and meet with some of their customers,” Irkam explained.

Woodfit has since moved into other Gulf markets, including Kuwait, Oman, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar and Jordan. “It was very easy once we had the initial reference sites in Saudi Arabia,” Larkin said. “The most important way Enterprise Ireland’s offices in the region have helped us is in getting our foot in the door. This is particularly important in the Gulf states, where business is dominated by government, and they respond well to an approach by another government organisation. You could be banging on doors for six months, where Enterprise Ireland’s people could get you an introduction within a week.”

Samples of completed Woodfit Projects

The Arab Irish Journal | 17

18 | The Arab Irish Journal

Irish Exporters Gulf region is larger market for Irish exports than India and Russia combined .

By John F. Whelan, chief executive, Irish Exporters Association

Gulf region is a key market for Irish exporting companies. There are 300 Irish companies active in the region , with 100 of them with a local presence in the markets. There are two dominant markets for Irish goods and services Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates( UAE) who between them account for 80% of Irish exports to the region. To put the Gulf ‘s importance into perspective , these two markets last year purchased €750 million in goods from Ireland, whereas exports to India and Russia combined were €530 million.

This buoyant export trend to the Gulf continued in the first six months of this year, with exports up by 21% on the same period last year. It is now anticipated that exports to Saudia and the UAE will exceed for the first time €1 billion in goods exports for the full year 2012.

There is also a very strong demand for Irish services in the region , which has been flourishing on the back on the infrastructural spend of over € 300 billion over the past 3 years

by Governments in the region. Irish services exports to Saudia and the UAE are estimated to have been approximately €600 million last year , again ranking the region as a major target market for Ireland.

For export trade to flourish and grow there needs to be good transport connections. There is no doubt that the recent arrivals of Ethiad and Emirates airlines offering direct connections from Ireland to the Gulf region for business men and cargo has boosted the export trade growth in the past year and augers well for future trade growth.

Ireland has a long-standing reputation for its expertise in the agri- food sector in Saudi Arabia. The region’s largest integrated dairy foods company Almarai was established in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1976 as a partnership between the Irish agri-foods pioneer Alastair McGuckian and his brother Paddy, and HH Prince Sultan bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Kabeer.

Food and water security are key objectives for governments and investors in the Gulf region.

The dependence on imports continues to grow in the Kingdom and other Gulf states , as population growth outpaces production. Irish companies continue to have a leading international reputation for sustainable healthy food

production. This will be a significant advantage in these circumstances and will further cement’s Irish export opportunities in the region.

The recent appointment of Paul Kenny as Start-up Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa, as part of the strategy to promote Ireland’s offering to attract and encourage overseas entrepreneurs to locate start-up businesses in Ireland, can only further help business relationship in the region. Mr Kenny is a successful Irish entrepreneur with many year’s experience in the region and he will work closely with Enterprise-Ireland to highlight Ireland and what it has to offer for technology start-ups.

The Irish Exporters association welcome this appointment and see this as offering added support to the Irish Business Network based in Riyadh, which has been beneficial for existing exporters as well as Irish companies new to the market.

The two successful Ministerial led trade missions to the region in 2011 can be learnt from and should be repeated if not in 2012 , then definitely in 2013. This will help strengthen the focus on Irish firms who have invested in a local presence and help ensure their investment translates into increased sales.

Exporters and state promotional agencies should pay particular attention to the key growth sectors of construction, aviation, education, healthcare and ICT. On the agri-food front we should aim at securing an increase in the age limit restrictions on Irish beef imports from 30 to 72 months.

Ensuring that Irish Visas continue to be made readily available to UEA and Saudi business people, students and tourists, will be an essential step in the continued expansion of trade with these two key states.

In conclusion ,the Gulf is very much a pricedriven market and is extremely competitive. That being said, if you find a good sponsor/agent or distributor and have a good product or service, you will be able to build a solid business in the major markets in the Gulf. You have to go out to visit the markets in person, but you should have the research done before making the visits.

Then when you’re there, set up the appointments before you go home, and arrange to go back out again eight weeks later. However , you need to plan on taking 18 months to two years before you have an established business in the Gulf.

The Arab Irish Journal | 19

Bord Bia – The Irish Food Board

20 | The Arab Irish Journal

Bord Bia – The Irish Food Board

Quality Irish Food The value of Irish food and drink exports increased by 12%, or €1 billion, in 2011 to reach an all-time high of €8.85 billion. The strongest performing categories were dairy (€2.6 billion), meat (€2.59 billion), prepared foods (€1.5 billion) and seafood (€420 million). Irish food and drink exports performed very strongly in International markets led by significant growth in dairy, meat and seafood. For the year, the value of exports outside of Europe grew by 20%, or €350 million, to reach almost €2.2 billion.

During 2011 exports to key markets in the Middle East and North Africa increased by 6% to €364m.

Dairy is Ireland’s largest export to the region in value terms, accounting for 80% of food and drink exports. There are also attractive growth opportunities in meat, seafood, beverage and premium foods categories. Saudi Arabia, Ireland’s largest market in the region, delivers sales above €100m per annum. Other leading markets include Algeria, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Kuwait.

The UAE in particular enjoyed strong growth of Irish food & drink sales during 2011, with exports increasing by 14% to €36m.

Bord Bia is the government agency whose mission is to grow the success of a world class food and horticulture industry by providing strategic market development, promotion and information services to Irish Food, Drink & Horticulture companies. In acting as a link between Irish Food, Drink & Horticulture suppliers and customers throughout the world Bord Bia develops markets for Irish suppliers and brings the taste of Irish food to more tables world-wide.

Broadening the export reach, particularly to international markets, of Irish food & drink companies is a strategic objective for Bord Bia and the Irish industry. Bord Bia’s Pathway for Growth initiative has played a key role in developing the capabilities of the Irish Food and Drink industry to further expand global markets. A core element of Pathway’s for Growth is the Bord Bia Marketing Fellowship where graduates with industry experience complete overseas assignments,

including the Middle East, for Irish companies as part of their MSc in Marketing Practice.

Innovation is a critical factor in broadening the export reach of the Irish food and drink industry.

Over the last 12 months Bord Bia’s Insight & Innovation team has piloted two crowd-sourcing projects with industry clients, leveraging online communities to seek out deep consumer understanding and insight. In addition, the team has hosted five inspiration expeditions, which help inspire and motivate Irish food & drink companies through exposure to new product and service ideas in international markets.

Irish Food & Drink companies recognize the benefits of identifying strategic opportunities to work together in new markets, manage larger contracts and reduce overheads. Bord Bia’s ‘Co-Opetition’ programme allow Irish companies to address fragmentation and achieve scale competitively. Bord Bia has engaged with over 110 Irish food and drink companies and developed, assisted or supported 20 individual co-opetition projects in the last year. These include promotion; procurement; market access/trade; logistics; and mentoring.

International markets, including Middle East and North Africa, provide the Irish food and drink industry with exciting opportunities to further grow export sales. Bord Bia work closely with Irish food and drink companies in delivering new business opportunities, gaining strategic market insights and raising the profile of Irish food and drink in the Middle East and North Africa.

Breiffini Kennedy International Markets Manager at Bord Bia

Contact Details; Bord Bia, Irish Food Board Clanwilliam Court Lower Mount Street Dublin 2 Ireland Tel: +353 1 668 5155 Fax: +353 1 668 7521 Email: info@bordbia.ie Web: www.bordbia.ie

The Arab Irish Journal | 21

Irish Seafood

Irish seafood

Ireland can be the seafood basket for the Emirates by Sean Doran. of Dorans on the Pier

22 | The Arab Irish Journal

Anyone with a love of seafood knows that the real enjoyment of a plate of seafood lies in the freshness and variety of what is served on the plate. A good chef can only work with the ingredients they are given but if you start with a poor product or limited choices, the consumer is going to be short changed.

While the Gulf region is itself a provider of many fine and tasty fish species, the option to avail of foreign seafood is important for economic and culinary reasons. The imported product can be used to enhance one’s fine dining experience in a Michelin star restaurant on one end of the scale or to provide a high volume, low cost source of protein for a larger volume of people on the other.

The issue is generally not identifying the product but it is the process of getting the right supplier in touch with a suitable local distributor and making

sure the logistics are seamless in between.

Ireland’s fishing business in the last 20 years has gone from one that simply caught fish and sold it locally or exported ‘on the hoof’ with little added value, into an industry that is highly developed and is capable of competing with the best in the world. We sell into high-end supermarkets and cater for the best restaurants as well as supplying bulk products such as salmon, mackerel, mussels and herring. It’s is not only traditional premium products such as smoked salmon and lobsters that are in demand. Nowadays pasteurised crab meat, pre packed mussels, smoked eel, fresh oysters, superb Dublin Bay prawns (langoustine) and a wide variety of whitefish from humble haddock to terrific turbot are on offer from a truly magnificent array of seafood.

Photo By Paul Bronski Byrne

Irish Seafood

With the many links by air, fresh fish can be delivered daily to the Gulf. It means there is no good reason why a fillet of John Dory cannot be enjoyed as much in Dubai as in Dublin. Or with the frozen reefer option why can a container of herring not be as good value as chicken from the Far East?

The answer is, there is none! Gulf region distributors who are looking for something different whether it is 20 pallets of a relatively low value, high volume and high protein food source or if you want an exclusive niche product for the discerning chef, you need only look to Ireland’s seafood companies. If you link up with the right company and source the product that suits your needs you can have ‘one up’ on your competitors.

Many Irish seafood companies have seen that the advantage of Ireland being an island which gives them the raw material but is also its disadvantage in that the market is so small.

This is why so many of these entrepreneurs realised a long time ago they needed to look further afield. ”We have the best raw material on our shores, now we need to make the best use of this resource” says Mick O’Donnell of Island seafoods. So with the help of the Irish Sea Fisheries Board (www.bim.ie), many of these business people set about looking to the best products on the market and not only learning from them but improving on the products that were already out there so they could supply the world market.

One only has to look at such companies as ‘Fastnet Mussels’ who have developed a range of

A delicious selection of Dublin Bay Prawns (above left) and other sea fish caught by a trawler skippered by sean doran’s brother. (Available at Dorans on the pier.)

ready-to-cook pasteurised mussels in a bag which offers the consumer a clean, handy product or ‘Henning Brothers’ in Kilkeel whose state of the art facility supplies crab products used in the best restaurants and hotels around Ireland. Companies such as Mick’s ‘Island Seafood’ which traditionally sold bulk block frozen whole mackerel now sell top quality smoked mackerel fillets in a variety of options to the likes of Aldi showing he is willing to adapt to the demands of large supermarkets which is quality at affordable prices. In Kilkenny, ‘Goatsbridge Trout Farm’ has recently launched “Trout Caviar” which gives a premium product at a more affordable price and is environmentally responsible that the Beluga variety. Many other Irish companies offer fresh fillets and shellfish packed in leak-proof polystyrene containers ready for airfreighting anywhere in the world, but there are just too many to name in this article.

The list of companies who produce this grade of product are many but if you are an importer, a distributor or indeed an end user of seafood products and want to extend your portfolio or just your options for your next dinner, check out Irish Seafood. You will be impressed, you will have lots of options, you may even have a dilemma but ultimately you will be very, very satisfied with the offerings available.

Irish seafood is fresh, sustainable, healthy and great value. Try it!

The Arab Irish Journal | 23

Food Safety

Welcome to the Food Section of the Arab Irish Journal. This section will focus on hot topics in the area of food science, health and safety.

In this issue Dr Grainne Redmond presents an overview of food safety control in Ireland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This is the first in a series of articles on food and food safety issues.

24 | The Arab Irish Journal

Food Safety Outbreaks of foodborne diseases and the occurrence of excessive levels of harmful chemicals in our food have turned global food safety into a priority.

With the import/export of food products around the world, it is vital that there are means available to ensure the food we consume is safe. The global nature and growing complexity of the food chain means that risks posed by unsafe foods have the potential to quickly evolve from a local problem to an international incident in a short period of time (Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 2011).

Food safety authorities all over the world have acknowledged that ensuring food safety must not only be tackled at the national level but also through closer linkages among food safety authorities at the international level. This is important for exchanging routine information on food safety issues, sharing experiences and expertise and to have rapid access to information in case of food safety emergencies (INFOSAN, 2012) In Ireland, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is responsible for implementing European law. It aims to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure that food produced, distributed or marketed in the State meets the highest standards of food safety and hygiene reasonably available.

The FSAI aims to ensure that food complies with legal requirements, or where appropriate with recognised codes of good practice.

In the UAE, the Ministry of Environment and Water is the focal point of food safety. It chairs

the National Food Safety committee, which has representatives from each of the 7 emirates own local food control authorities. A sub-committee also represents the UAE in the GCC Food Safety Committee, and other international committees such as CODEX, WHO and FAO where they cooperate with these organisations in relation to animal health, plant health and food safety.

Currently, each Food Control body in the UAE has its own regulation and inspection procedures on border control. One of the missions of the National Food Safety Committee is to solve this problem by harmonizing all regulations and inspection procedures in all of the UAE. Each Food Control Authority also has different sampling procedures for food testing and results are not distributed to the other food control bodies.

This is also something the National Food Safety Committee hopes to change.

The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) is responsible for food safety in Abu Dhabi. It is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed AL Nahyan and its mission is to develop a sustainable agriculture and food sector that ensures the delivery of safe food to the public. It has strong links with Ireland and recently the FSAI and the ADFCA signed a memorandum of understanding that aims to strengthen cooperation between the two agencies in the area of food safety. Key areas of collaboration include the sharing of scientific and technical

Food Safety

Dr. Grainne Redmond

Mohamed Alobeidli

Dr. Grainne Redmond graduated from the Dublin Institute of Technology with a BSc in Applied Science. After obtaining a Masters in Food Science, she then went on to be awarded a PhD in Agriculture in 2000. She has since worked in Research, Academia and Industry and is currently the Network Manager of the Irish Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment Network of Ireland (www.ucd.ie/ microbialrisknetwork).

Mohamed Alobeidli works for the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority in the Department of Food Risk Assessment. He is currently completing his PhD at University Dublin. He describes his stay in Ireland as an excellent experience and would encourage others from the UAE to continue their studies in Ireland although he is still not keen on the Irish weather! He also hopes he can strengthen the links between the ADFCA and the School of Biosystems Engineering in UCD

information, food inspection and food safety regulations. It also allows for the exchange of staff in both directions between Ireland and Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, earlier this year, the Food Control Department of Dubai Municipality organised an international conference for over 1200 participants on Food Safety, again showing the UAEs commitment to food safety.

The ADFCA is keen to gain knowledge and expertise in all areas of food safety and encourage their staff to extend their studies in this area. At present in the UAE, food safety is only taught to diploma level and those interested in obtaining a post graduate qualification must go abroad to study. Mr. Mohamed Alobeidli, the Section Manager of the Food Risk Assessment Dept in ADFCA did just that. Having a choice of studying at a university in USA or Ireland, Mohamed chose the School of Biosystems Engineering at University College Dublin (UCD) to further his studies and is currently in the final stages of his PhD on microbial risk assessment.

The key role of the Food Risk Assessment Dept in ADFCA is to collect, collate and interpret import and export data with an aim to identify risks to

food safety. Mohamed Alobeidlis and his team’s vision is to have a data bank for each importer/ exporter which gives all the relevant information for any food product entering or leaving the country. A key aspect of his PhD is to examine food laws/regulations in other countries/states (e.g. Ireland, EU, USA) with a view to making recommendations for similar laws for Abu Dhabi and eventually for all the UAE. He is also working on risk ranking potential pathogens of meat product imports into the UAE and has presented some of his work at the 2010 Dubai International Food Safety Conference.

Food Safety is an essential public health issue and the consequences of a failed food safety policy are costly with impacts not only on public health but also on the economy (UCD Centre of Food Safety). It is clear that Ireland and the UAE are aware of this and are taking every step necessary to ensure our food is safe to eat.

We are interested in hearing from you. If there is a particular area you would like to see covered in this section of the magazine please contact us at food@arabirishjournal.com.

With the import/ export of food products around the world, it is vital that there are means available to ensure the food we consume is safe.

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.

The Arab Irish Journal | 25

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With extensive experience in the region with international and local companies KCM recruit only in the Construction and Engineering sectors both for Contractors and Consultants.

We recruit in the Rail, Commercial, Residential, Power, Mining, Oil and Gas and Heavy Civil Engineering sectors. Typical positions are • Senior Executive level • Project and Design Management • Construction Management • Commercial and Procurement For more information email KCM at info@kcmrecruitment.ie or contact Denis Mullin our Business Development Director at 0035314586006.

View our website at www.kcmrecruitment.ie.

Healthcare

Medical Opportunity

Significant opportunity for Irish medical and healthcare products in the Arab World

When considering the Middle East medical device and healthcare market, the first striking fact is that there is a near complete reliance on imported products. Recent research has shown that 94.8% of medical devices are actually imported. In addition, the Middle East has been largely unaffected by the financial crises of the past couple of years, due to a combination of high oil prices and a relative lack of integration into the world economy. As Irish companies look to focus on growing exports markets, the Middle East is certainly a region one that deserves serious consideration, particularly Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar.

Success in export markets will help a business sustain long-term sales and profits. The Middle East offers excellent potential return to medical device and healthcare companies interested in entering a potentially lucrative region.

Companies are sometimes hesitant in looking to the Middle East unsure of how to approach what is for them a relatively unknown region, ever conscious of cultural and trading differences.

Companies are also often reluctant to try to enter the Gulf region, worrying about the significant initial upfront investment with no guaranteed return or can feel that they are under-resourced to take on such a challenge.

A solution offered by one Irish company, Associated Marketing, may help address these concerns and encourage other Irish companies to look more closely at the Middle East as a potential export market region. With offices across many markets including one in Dubai (managed locally

by Ashok Belani) from which the company covers Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, Associated Marketing has a unique and innovative offering for Irish companies. Led by Hugh Kelly CEO (who

is also a director of the Irish Exporters Association) they will identify and manage the best sales channel partners, deliver the products, execute overseas sales and probably most importantly they share the financial burden providing their services on a performance related fee structure The company has a six-step process that helps grow export sales and deliver enhanced commercial competitiveness. In addition to having operated in the Gulf since the early 1970s, Associated Marketing has further boosted the team with the addition of Jim Mongey, who with 25 years experience in overseas markets most recently managed market operations for Enterprise Ireland in the Middle East (Dubai and Riyadh) and North Africa regions. Associated Marketing works closely with Enterprise Ireland helping Irish companies to realise their exporting ambitions. In addition the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (along with Ireland’s Embassy Network) have also been most supportive of the concept being executed by Associated Marketing.

The Middle East represents excellent potential for Irish medical device and healthcare companies looking to increase their sales while spreading their risk. Now is the time to get involved in these exciting and fast growing markets.

The Arab Irish Journal | 27

Leading Healthcare Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Dubai is the UAE based postgraduate branch campus of the internationally renowned RCSI, which has played a major role in medical education and training in Ireland for over 200 years. Based in Dubai Healthcare City, we offer a range of UAE and internationally accredited programmes in the areas of quality, safety and healthcare management.

MSc in Quality & Safety in Healthcare Management MSc in Healthcare Management √ Suitable for all healthcare professionals – clinical and administrative √ Classroom based teaching supported by Learning Portal √ Two-year part-time, modular programmes √ CAA/NUI/RCSI internationally accredited programmes √ Opportunity to study overseas √ International faculty

Continuing Professional Development Courses Please contact for further details.

For further information contact: Mrs. Mylin Araujo

28 | The Arab Irish Journal

EMAIL: mylinaraujo@rcsi.ie TEL: +971 4 3752116 www.rcsileadership.org

RCSI Dubai 4th Floor, Building 25 Dubai Healthcare City

Healthcare

Irish college looking after health in the UAE Rcsi Dubai-Master Degree graduation class 2011

Prof O’Boyle, Director, RCSI Institute of Leadership

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has a topclass reputation for producing highlyskilled medical and health professionals. This has long been recognised in the Gulf region and the College’s name has been further enhanced by the on-going development of RCSI-Dubai since 2006.

RCSI-Dubai was established by the College’s Institute of Leadership to provide training and education in healthcare management, leadership, quality and patient safety. The UAE demands very high standards of its institutions of higher education and a rigorous vetting process was undertaken by the Government’s Commission for Academic Accreditation before RCSI-Dubai was licenced to provide postgraduate education.

The RCSI Institute of Leadership, under director Prof Ciaran O’Boyle, has had a leading role in developing relationships with the Gulf States and the Institute is now acknowledged as the leading provider of leadership and management education in the healthcare sector in the UAE. At RCSI-Dubai, the Institute currently offers two masters degrees, in Healthcare Management and in Quality and Patient Safety in Healthcare Management as well as shorter programmes in training and consultancy in leadership, management and patient safety and quality. The masters programmes are fully accredited and are delivered through a blend of classroom and electronic media in order that participants can continue to work while pursuing their further education.

Every year RCSI-Dubai registers 60 to 70 students. “These are medical and health care professionals who we train in leadership, management and patient safety”, says Prof O’Boyle. “They bring these skills back to their

hospitals and community care services where they can help to improve patient health. “One of the best ways we can improve general health is to train professionals to deliver better quality and safety to the patient.”

RCSI-Dubai is also active in the general medical field in the Emirate and is currently providing consultancy to ten hospitals on delivering quality and safety, helping them to achieve or maintain international accreditation.

The College is in talks with Dubai Healthcare City about contributing further to medical and health care education in the country. Recently the College signed an agreement with the University of Sharjah and it has plans to launch a Masters Degree in Leadership and Health Professional Education in January 2013. This innovative programme, also delivered in Ireland, trains health professionals in the design and delivery of higher education and equips them with the leadership skills to achieve change in their organisations in order to create better learning environments.

RCSI is also active in the wider Gulf area, with a Medical University in Bahrain, and programmes in Jordan, Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Because RCSI is a not-for-profit institution, any surplus income from its programmes is reinvested into the further development of medical and healthcare education. The College, for example, is very active in sub-Saharan Africa, where it works with Irish Aid on the education and training of local surgeons to develop a surgical service in countries where the needs are of crisis proportions.

The RCSI Institute of Leadership is based in Sandyford in South County Dublin, Ireland.

For further information visit www.rcsileadership.org

The Arab Irish Journal | 29

The Arab Irish Journal News

News Kingspan buys two firms in Europe and Middle East Building materials group Kingspan has announced deals to buy two companies, one based in Europe and the other in the Middle East.

Kingspan funding two deals from its own existing deb facilities. Kingspan has agreed to buy the various companies which make up the ThyssenKrupp Construction Group for about €65m. €50m is payable in cash upon completion of the deal, while the other €15m represents assumed past service pension liabilities. Its brands include Hoesch, Isocab and EMS and its plants are in Germany, France, Belgium, Austria and Hungary.

It reported sales of €315m in the year to the end of March and an operating loss of €5.7m.

The Co Cavan based company also said it was buying the entire share capital of Rigidal Industries, a manufacturer of composite panels and roofing systems and which is based in Dubai.

It had sales of $39m in the year to June 2012 and the deal is worth $38.6m, of which $30m is payable in cash when the deal is

Etihad Airways and Aer Lingus unveil codeshare details Etihad Airways and Aer Lingus have signed an historic interline and codeshare agreement which follows the UAE national airline’s recent 2.987 per cent equity purchase in the Irish carrier.

Within the agreement Etihad Airways will place its “EY” code on Aer Lingus flights between Dublin, Manchester and London Heathrow, and destinations in Ireland, the British Isles, the Channel Islands, Portugal, the Netherlands and the US. In return, Aer Lingus will place its “EI” code on Etihad Airways flights between Abu Dhabi and Dublin, and have full access to flights across the network beyond Abu Dhabi, to points including Australia, Asia-Pacific, the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East.

In addition to the codeshare with Aer Lingus, Etihad Airways has 35 other codeshare agreements in place with airlines across the world. Codeshare partnerships, along with equity acquisitions and organic growth, form the three pillars of Etihad

30 | The Arab Irish Journal

finalised.

Kingspan said the deals will be financed in full from its existing debt facilities and it said the deals are expected to modestly enhance its earnings next year. ‘’These acquisitions represent another step in furthering the group’s global presence and route to market,’’ commented Kingspan’s group chief executive Gene Murtagh.

‘’The ThyssenKrupp business will transform our Mainland Europe insulated panels market presence in a region where market penetration is growing, rooted in the need for more energy efficient buildings. The Rigidal Industries business is an excellent platform to develop our existing business and market presence in the Gulf region where demand is growing,’’ he added.

Airways expansion plans.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to announce this new codeshare agreement with Aer Lingus which will provide Etihad Airways’ customers with new travel options and flight connections to Ireland, the UK, continental Europe, and across the Atlantic to Boston and New York.

“The codeshare agreement is an early indication of the success of Etihad Airways’ strategic plan to acquire equity in Aer Lingus and other airlines and the instant benefit it brings to both airlines’ customers around the world.”

Christoph Mueller, Aer Lingus’ Chief Executive, said: “Today’s announcement supports Aer Lingus’ strategy to provide greater access and choice to our customers.

We are delighted to welcome Etihad Airways on board as a codeshare partner.”

The new Etihad Airways codeshare flights will be on sale today for travel from 15 September. Some of the routes are still subject to regulatory approvals.

The Etihad Airways “EY” code will be placed on the following Aer Lingus flights:

• Between Dublin and Aberdeen, Amsterdam, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Isle of Man, Jersey, Kerry, Lisbon, London Gatwick, London Heathrow and Manchester.

• Between London Heathrow and Dublin, Cork, and Shannon.

• Between Manchester and Dublin, Cork, and Shannon.

• Between Dublin and Boston and New York JFK. Initially, members of the Etihad Guest loyalty program will be able to earn miles on Aer Lingus codeshare flights and further integration of frequent flyer programs is under discussion.

Etihad Airways operates 10 flights a week from Abu Dhabi to Dublin and has carried more than 817,000 passengers between the two capitals since it began flying the route in July, 2007.

The Arab Irish Journal News

C&S Shutters C&S Shutters is a well established company with over 40 years experience in the manufacturing and installing of quality roller shutter products. Their products are manufactured from the very best materials available to suit all their valued customers’ particular security issues. As a forward and progressively minded company they are constantly involved in research and development in order to improve and enhance their product range & designs in order to make them more user friendly and to give their customers improved value for money.

All materials used in the manufacture of C&S Roller Shutter products are subject to rigorous quality controls to ensure the products give a long service life in all normal industrial and commercial applications.

Detailed information can be provided to assist when roller shutters/door performances need to be explained. C&S have a specialised division supplying directly to the public and trade installers. Their in-house engineering department can assist clients with specifications and technical drawings to meet their project requirements. Products:Industrial Roller Shutters, Fire Rated Shutters, Commercial Shutters, Ram Barriers & Posts, Garage Doors, Insulated Shutters, Security Folding Grilles, Steel Fire/Security Doors, Sectional Overhead Doors, Rapid Roll Doors, PVC Strip Curtains, Smoke & Fire Curtains C & S Shutters, Unit 18, Jamestown Business Park, Finglas, Dublin 11. E-Mail: sales@cs-shutters.ie Phone: + 353 (01) 8845240 Fax: + 353 (01) 8648209

Emirates Airline to launch a second daily flight to Dublin Emirates Airline expects to launch a second daily flight to Dublin within the next two years to meet demand on the route, its president has said.

Tim Clark said doubling the service to the Irish capital would likely happen “within the next 18 months or two years”.

In an interview with the Irish Times, he added that the Dublin route had proved popular since its launch in January.

On May 1, it deployed a larger, 360-seat Boeing 777-300ER to cope with demand and has so far carried about 120,000 passengers on the route.

He told the paper: “It depends really on the availability of aircraft. They are coming in thick and fast now.”

Clark added in the interview that he

Gilmore speaks of aim to develop Ireland’s involvement in Islamic finance Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore addressed a seminar this morning on the Government’s aim to make Ireland a European hub for Islamic finance.

“Internationally Islamic finance, or Sharia compliant finance, has demonstrated impressive growth rates - annual growth rates have been estimated at 15 -20pc,” he said. “The global Islamic finance industry is currently valued at approximately US$1.3trn.

“We see potential for significant growth in this area and it forms an important part of our strategy for international financial services in Ireland,” he said. “We are determined to ensure that the IFSC will develop as a centre of excellence for Islamic finance and are engaging with key stakeholders to move towards achieving this goal.”

He told the International Fiscal Association Ireland seminar that Ireland is currently the location for an estimated 20pc of Sharia compliant funds domiciled outside the Middle East.

“PwC have reported that there are €2.5bn of serviced Sharia compliant funds in Ireland,” he said. “In addition, a number of Shari’ah compliant funds have chosen to list on the Irish Stock Exchange.

“The next step will be to expand the range of products that we provide in Ireland, particularly in terms of banking products.

“We have to think of Ireland, in the words of President Clinton, not just as a gateway to

wished Emirates had entered the Irish market earlier but had been delayed by a number of issues.

“With hindsight, I regret not having moved earlier. Clearly, had we moved in the 1990s or 2000/2001 years we would have been much more established here.

We would have had probably two flights a day by now and probably done very well,” he told the paper.

As a result, Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad Airways was given a significant head start on attracting Irish travellers to the Middle East.

It flies here 10 times a week and plans to move to twice a day at some point in the near future.

Clark also said Emirates currently has no interest in buying a strategic stake in Aer Lingus, amid reports that Etihad may be doing just that.

Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore

Europe, but as a gateway to the world,” he said. “It is in that context, that I see the role of Islamic finance in Ireland.”

The Tánaiste also spoke about why Ireland is a good fit for Islamic finance activities, noting the existing successful international financial services sector; the education and training opportunities available for people interested in this area, including the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants’ diploma in Islamic finance; the fact that Islamic finance links well with sectors where Ireland is already successful, like aircraft financing; our double taxation treaties with a number of Islamic states, including recently with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE; and, the adaption “of our tax system and financial regulatory system to ensure a level playing field between Islamic finance and conventional measures”.

“At this stage we don’t have any interest in buying a stake in Aer Lingus. We are keen to do business with Aer Lingus commercially but as far as buying into it at this stage – no,” Clark told the paper.

Ireland has a population of around 4.5 million and a thriving tourism industry, with a significant number of nationals living overseas. Some 80,000 Irish nationals live in Australia alone.

Emirates has faced criticism from European carriers who have pressed their governments to deny the fast-growing airline new flying rights.

Carriers including Air France-KLM Group, Europe’s biggest carrier by traffic, claim that lower taxes and airport fees at Emirate’s Dubai hub amounts to an unfair advantage.

The Arab Irish Journal | 31

Oil, Gas and Energy

Oil Field Solutions Ltd Oil Field Solutions Ltd. (OFS) is an Irish company established in 2002 to meet the growing needs of the international Oil and Gas Energy Markets.

The company is headquartered in Naas, Co. Kildare just outside Dublin, Ireland. Since its inception OFS has grown steadily in size, geographical spread and range of services offered. In 2004 OFS extended its services into Asia, supporting OEMs across Malaysia and Indonesia. The business continued to grow at a steady pace, extending its services into South America. In 2006 OFS founded a training company called Industrial Training Solutions which focuses on providing top quality engineering training. By early 2007, OFS’S business spanned four continents.

More recently OFS has consolidated its overseas presence by setting up offices in UK-London, UAE-Dubai, USA-Stamford and Argentina-Buenos Aires. Currently, OFS’S UAE Office oversees the company’s Middle Eastern activities and it is from here that the company plans to expand its operations in the region over the coming years.

The OFS team of qualified professionals has many years of experience in the Oil Gas and Energy industries and possesses the expertise and ability to meet and exceed its customer’s needs. OFS has a diverse client base which includes OEMs, Oil and Gas Companies, Utility Companies and Financial Institutions. OFS’S strong alliances and history working with some of the world’s top industrial turbine manufacturers gives it a breadth of operations and maintenance experience unmatched in many quarters.

OFS’S offering to its customers consists of: • Installation and Commissioning • Operations & Maintenance • Retrofits and Package Repairs • Relocation and Project Management Services • Life Cycle Package Management • Training and Competency Assessment • Documentation Development • Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental Management Systems These areas of expertise are outlined in a little more detail below: 32 | The Arab Irish Journal

Installation and Commissioning OFS provides comprehensive rotating equipment installation and commissioning services and accordingly has highly qualified turbine controls specialists, key start-up engineers and calibration and testing engineers.

Competencies include: • Installation, Pre-commissioning & Commissioning • Site Acceptance Testing • Personnel Introductory Training • Support at Systems Start-up

Operations & Maintenance OFS’Ss core expertise is in the area of Operations & Maintenance. The company believes that operational success is a derivative of high quality teams working in a professional manner, consistently striving to make improvements.

Competencies include: • Roving Gangs • Maintenance Teams • Condition Monitoring • Shutdown Teams • Operations, Maintenance and Start-up Documentation

Retrofits & Package Repairs OFS have the competencies to carry out full Controls & Mechanical retrofits, which include upgrades in cartain areas of the package as required. OFS employs some of the most experienced engineers in the industry to steer these tasks on behalf of the company.

Relocation & Project Management Services OFS assists many of its customers with asset relocation and the company also offers an in-depth Project Management service.

OFS tailor solutions to the clients’ requirements through the provision of highly experienced professionals and managers.

Oil, Gas and Energy Life Cycle Package Management OFS support fledgling companies and large well established organisations with Maintenance Strategy Development or Realignment. The OFS approach is to conduct a review of the clients requirements utilising industry proven techniques such as Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) and Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA). All methods used are appropriate for the industry in question and help develop the complete approach towards management controlled maintenance activity.

Competencies include: • Data collection • Remote Support / CMMS • Owners Engineers • Healthcare Concept • Condition Surveys • Definition & Implementation of Key Performance Indicators • Critical Spare Part Management

awarded ACE Supplier Gold Standard by a major Corporate Customer. OFS places huge importance on offering a very high standard of service to all its customers and it is this emphasis that has helped the organisation to achieve considerable success since its inception in 2002.

Training & Competency Assessment OFS has considerable worldwide experience in providing Competency Assessment of both the individual staff and the departments for some of the worlds largest Energy Companies. OFS has the in-house capabilities to develop customised training courses for the benefit of its clients’ staff.

These courses are focussed on, but not limited to: • Technical Training • Mechanical , Electrical and Instrumentation Training • Controls Systems • On-the-job Training • Competency Assessment and Needs Analysis • Nationalisation Training Solutions • Turn-key and Health & Safety Training

For further information on Oilfield Solutions Ltd., please make contact using the details below: Ireland: Mr Mike Curtin, Oilfield Solutions Ltd. Unit W9H, Ladytown Business Park, Naas, Co. Kildare. Ireland T: +353(0)45409912 F: +353(0)45409032 info@ofsl. ie www.ofsl.ie UAE - Dubai: Mr Michael Mahon, Oil Field Solutions (Intl) Ltd. Unit No R-29-31, R Serviced Offices, Reef Tower, JLT Dubai.

U.A.E. (PO Box 115738), T: +971(0)44487120 F: +971(0)44487108 info@ofsl.ie www.ofsl.ie

OFS Limited OFS is a well established engineering company and one of the country’s premier service suppliers to the Power Generation and Oil & Gas

Documentation Development OFS has considerable worldwide experience in this area.

The company has developed state-of-the-art documentation packages for some of the world’s largest energy companies making the availability and accessibility of information for these companies as easy and as painless as possible.

All OFS’S documentation solutions are developed in-house by the company’s fully qualified engineers and include packages such as Start-up Documentation, Maintenance Tasks & Procedures and Operational Procedures.

Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental Management Systems

sectors both in Ireland and overseas. The company provides project specific support services ranging from construction and installation to commissioning and operations & maintenance.

This support is backed by a multi-disciplined professional team with vast experience in over 75 countries worldwide.

Installation & Commissioning

• Documentation Development • Maintenance Strategy Development • Competency Assessment & Customised Training • Workshop/Spare Parts Facilities • Installation & Commissioning

OFS has considerable success in providing QHSE Services in a • Expertise in Rotating Equipment O&M consultative fashion. OFS has worked with some of the biggest would like further information regarding the OFS service please contact: • If you Project Management global Energy Companies providing services such as: OFS Ltd. Unit W9H, Ladytown Business Park, Naas, Co. Kildare • Tel: +353 Power Plant Management (0)45 409912 Fax: +353 (0)45 409032 E-Mail: info@ofsl.i e Web: www.ofsl.i e • QHSE Training • Health & Safety Management • Risk Assessments and Evaluations • Energy Consultancy • Incident Investigation and Root Cause Analysis • QHSE Policy Statements OFS has a considerable record working with large global OEMs and has • Integrated Systems Development the ability to offer creative business solutions tailored to the client’s needs.

• Auditing Services • Site Inspections If you would like further information regarding the OFS service please contact: OFS Ltd. Unit W9H, Ladytown Business Park, Naas, Co. Kildare Internally, OFS is currently certified by the National Standards Tel: +353 (0)45 409912, Fax: +353 (0)45 409032 If you would like further information regarding the OFS service please contact: Authority of Ireland (NSAI) in ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and E-Mail: info@ofsl.ie, Web: www.ofsl.ie OFS Ltd. Unit W9H, Ladytown Business Park, Naas, Co. Kildare OHSAS 18001 (Integrated Certification). OFS has also been Tel: +353 (0)45 409912

Fax: +353 (0)45 409032

E-Mail: info@ofsl.i e

Web: www.ofsl.i e

The Arab Irish Journal | 33

Engineers Ireland

Burj (Arabic for tower) Khalifa the tallest building in the world at a height of 828 metres tall and built by Irish Engineers like Tom Barry.

34 | The Arab Irish Journal

Engineers Ireland

“Poor Paddy, Rich Paddy” Here are some lines taken from a old folk song entitled “Poor Paddy” sung by various Irish folk/rock bands like the Dubliners and the Pogues: In eighteen hundred and forty-one The corduroy breeches I put on Me corduroy breeches I put on To work upon the railway, the railway I’m weary of the railway Poor paddy works on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty-two From Hartlepool I moved to Crewe Found myself a job to do A working on the railway Instead of the “Poor Paddy” mentioned in the song what we have today in two thousand and twelve is “Rich Paddy” travelling the world “to work upon the railway”, rich in training, rich in education and rich in the engineering skills acquired at home in Ireland. In addition to this the men and women of the different engineering disciplines are not restricting themselves to “Hartlepool” and “Crew” in the UK but travelling to cities like Perth, Calgary, Cairo and Abu Dhabi and to countries as far afield as Canada, Australia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates where the author has worked and resided for the past 15 years. In the United Arab Emirates you find Dubai, its second city, and in Dubai you find the Burj (Arabic for tower) Khalifa the tallest building in the world at a height of 828 metres tall and built by Irish Engineers like Tom Barry the CEO of Arabtec Construction one of the main contractors on the project.

However it is not only towers that are being built in the Middle East, with rapid urbanization, many Gulf countries has identified rail as a viable solution for the passenger and freight challenges confronting the region. “Paddy” is again leaving Ireland to “work upon the railway” in the Middle East and Engineers Ireland is at the forefront of providing Irish male and female engineers professional recognition, both nationally and internationally. A Chartered Engineer has status across the globe and chartership is usually a minimum requirement for most senior engineering positions being offered across the different engineering disciplines in the Gulf. Qatar has

this year announced opportunities for engineers to work on its 37 billion dollar rail project. A lot of these engineers will be from Ireland. Up to 75,000 Irish citizens are predicted to emigrate in 2012 and a lot of these will be chartered engineers, technologists and technicians.

The ultra modern Dubai Metro project, designed and executed in a tight time frame, triggered a series of similar rail projects in the Gulf, with all the GCC (Gulf Cooperative Council) governments focusing on developing rail projects, either for passenger or freight transportation, linking cities and countries in the region.

The Dubai Metro was the first new rail line built in the GCC in more than 20 years. With the changing economic and demographic scenario, railway networks are considered the backbone of the public transport system, and it is important for governments to achieve their socio-economic development targets. Paddy is again “working on the railway” but this time he/she is leading the project.

The most ambitious project spanning all the six GCC nations is the development of a regional railway network linking each of the member states, to be known as the GCC Railway Network. Irish engineers are working on this project and bringing a level of professionalism and dedication fostered by Engineers Ireland.

Upon completion in 2017, the network is likely to change the face of transport and logistics in the region and again Irish engineers, Irish men and women are changing the world.

Tom Riordan, M.I.E.I, B.E., MBA Chartered Engineer

The Arab Irish Journal | 35

Trade and Commerce

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In many ways the volume of trade and commerce between Ireland and the Arab states, during the past number of decades is a reflection of the performance of those Businesses L. Malawi Central who took thatAngola big stepBasin into these new markets confident in their product or service. Indian Ridge Zamb ezi Esbi, The Kerry Group,Mercury, Kentz, to name just a few are as well established brand names in many of the Arab countries as they are in Ireland.

Many of these companies were pioneers with the same vision and determination not to mind expertise on a International scale. The fruits of their labour is well recorded.

Reviewing the export and import figures over a number of years reveals significant movements in the volume and value of trade from time to time, which can be explained by a variety of factors.

The most important factor in the success of Irish Companies in these marketst is that they i during maintained a presence and had patience

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36 | The Arab Irish Journal

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periods of economic instability, and were ready for the economic upturn when it happened. They had the vision to take the long term view and planned accordingly.

In our interviews with Mr Joe Kalahari Desert Geoghegan and Mr Louis Maguire these very points were emphasized by both gentlemen. Sustained relationship building , maintaining a presence in Orange the market place , patience, and a quality product, competitively priced will result in long term success in these markets. These markets are in effect no different than any others on the planet, yet are a lot more accessible and closer to Ireland than we think.

Cape Basin The following are an overview of Ireland’s trade figures with the various arab countries.

ATLANTIC OCEAN

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Norwegian Sea

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded With Algeria In 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

56,853 Dairy products

EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ALGERIA 54 Holland Park, London W11 3RS Tel: 004420 7221 7800.

Fax: 004420 7221 0448.

E-Mail: info@algerianembassy.org.uk Website: www.algerianembassy.org.uk Consular Section 6 Hyde Park Gate, London SW7 5EW Tel: 004420 7589 6885.

Fax: 004420 7589 7725.

E-Mail: consular@algerianconsulate.org.uk Website: www.algerianconsulate.org.uk His Excellency Mr. Amar Abba Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

63%

35,012

61%

-2%

6,023

11%

6,305

11%

5%

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts

754

1%

5,286

9%

601%

Chemical materials & products

3,037

5%

4,410

8%

45%

Medical & pharmaceutical products

2,971

5%

1,522

3%

-49%

601

1%

931

2%

55%

1,130

2%

895

2%

-21%

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

207

0%

513

1%

148%

Cork & wood manufactures (excl. furniture)

345

1%

451

1%

31%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

135

0%

448

1%

232%

Imports (€000)

% of total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

Medical Devices Meat & meat preparations

IMPORTS

2,861 Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials Inorganic chemicals

Country Name

People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria

Population

35,468,208

Languages

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

Currency

Algerian 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

29,071 0%

27,193

916% 94%

-

1,452

51%

1,113

4%

-23%

Crude fertilisers & minerals, excl. coal, petroleum etc.

7

0%

748

3%

10586%

Non-alcoholic Beverages, Beer and Wine

7

0%

13

0%

86%

25

1%

2

0%

-92%

0

0%

1

0%

-

0%

1

0%

-

0

0%

0

0%

-

0%

0

1,311

46%

Medical Devices

Algeria Fact File

1%

35,698

Soft Drink concentrate

ALGERIA

57,498

Misc Plastic, Stents, Other Misc Articles Electronic Components & intergrated circuits Articles of apparel; clothing accessories Dairy products Alumina, zinc & other ores and Scrap Metal

0%

-

0%

-100%

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Algeria Year

Exports (€m)

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

2000

23

2001

24

5%

2002

18

-24%

0

-85%

18

2003

20

9%

0

-11%

19

1 1

21 3%

22

2004

33

71%

0

45%

33

2005

52

57%

1

147%

52

2006

47

-11%

33

4828%

14

2007

31

-35%

59

81%

-29

2008

34

12%

1

-98%

33

2009

36

4%

26

2070%

10

2010

57

60%

3

-89%

54

2011

57

1%

29

916%

28

The Arab Irish Journal | 37

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Bahrain 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

31,230

BAHRAIN EMBASSY OF THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN 30 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8QB Tel: 004420 7201 9170.

Fax: 004420 7201 9183.

E-Mail: information@bahrainembassy.co.uk Website: www.bahrain.bh

47,534

Dairy products

4,917

16%

15,711

33%

220%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

7,458

24%

10,031

21%

34%

Soft Drink concentrate

7,069

23%

7,309

15%

3%

Medical & pharmaceutical products

6,534

21%

5,072

11%

-22%

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

2,351

8%

2,778

6%

18%

Telecommunications & sound equipment

584

2%

1,729

4%

196%

Stents, Pacemakers, digital media, Artificial Body Parts etc

430

1%

1,124

2%

161%

Medical Devices

370

1%

1,071

2%

189%

Aircraft engines and parts

200

1%

885

2%

343%

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts

216

1%

664

1%

207%

Imports (€000)

% of total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

IMPORTS

Mrs. Alice Thomas Samaan.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary National Day: 16th December

98 Organic chemicals (mainly for pharamaceutical sector)

Bahrain Fact File The Kingdom of Bahrain

Population

791,473 – 2009

2,621 2,566

98% -

10

10%

35

1%

250%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

14

14%

7

0%

-50%

Specialised industrial machinery

0

0%

3

0%

-

Misc Plastic, Stents, Other Misc Articles

34

35%

2

0%

-94%

0%

2

0%

-

7%

1

0%

-86%

Articles of apparel; clothing accessories

7

Manufactures of metals

3

3%

1

0%

-67%

Road vehicles

2

2%

1

0%

-50%

0

0%

1

0%

-

Languages

Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Medical Devices

Currency

Bahraini Dinar (BD) = 1000 fils

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Bahrain

Official Religion Capital Business Hours

Islam Manama 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)

38 | The Arab Irish Journal

2574%

0%

Makeup Products, Softdrink Concentrate, Hair products

Metalworking machinery

Country Name

52%

Year

Exports (€m)

2000

20

2001

23

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

0.14 17%

0.84

19 515%

22

2002

23

-2%

0.81

-3%

22

2003

12

-47%

0.32

-61%

12

2004

10

-15%

0.85

168%

9

2005

10

3%

1.42

67%

9

2006

14

38%

6.42

351%

8

2007

25

71%

7.72

20%

17

2008

19

-24%

9.02

17%

10

2009

29

53%

0.32

-96%

28

2010

31

9%

0.10

-69%

31

2011

48

52%

2.62

2574%

45

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Egypt 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

117,962

EGYPT EMBASSY OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT 12 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 Tel: 01 660 6718 / 01 660 6566.

Fax: 01 668 3745.

E-mail: info@embegyptireland.ie Website: www.embegyptireland.ie

136,245

Soft Drink concentrate

31,624

27%

48,674

36%

54%

Medical & pharmaceutical products

14,851

13%

13,065

10%

-12%

Dairy products

9,585

8%

11,744

9%

23%

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts

1,664

1%

11,309

8%

580%

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

7,746

7%

10,900

8%

41%

Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and preparations thereof

14,331

12%

8,060

6%

-44%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

9,617

8%

5,289

4%

-45%

Chemical materials & products

6,554

6%

5,013

4%

-24%

Aircraft engines and parts Organic chemicals (mainly for pharamaceutical sector)

123

0%

3,587

3%

2816%

3,502

3%

2,640

2%

-25%

Imports (€000)

% of total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

IMPORTS

His Excellency Mr. Sherif Elkholi Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary National Day: 23rd July

30,958 Crude fertilisers & minerals, excl. coal, petroleum etc.

7,720

28% 771900%

Articles of apparel; accessories

5,372

17%

5,399

19%

1%

Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles & related products

2,128

7%

3,420

12%

61%

Vegetables & fruit

3,165

10%

2,559

9%

-19%

567

2%

1,944

7%

243%

13,566

44%

1,245

4%

-91%

0%

1,129

4%

-

Feeding stuff for animals (excl. unmilled cereals)

The Arab Republic of Egypt

Population

82,999,393 (2009 World Bank)

Languages

Arabic [official] English & French widely spoken

Currency Official Religion Capital Business Hours

Egyptian Pound Islam Cairo Government offices: 08:30 to 14:30 (Sunday to Thursday) Banks: 08:30 to 14:00 (Sunday to Thursday) 07:30 to 11:00 (Thursday)

-10%

0%

Fertilisers other than Crude fertilisers & minerals

Country Name

27,887

1

Paper, paperboard & articles thereof

Egypt Fact File

15%

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits

973

3%

1,105

4%

14%

Prefab buildings; plumbing & electrical fixtures & fittings

829

3%

920

3%

11%

Non-metallic mineral manufactures

370

1%

471

2%

27%

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Egypt Year

Exports (€m)

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

2000

243

2001

121

-50%

30

117%

91

2002

86

-28%

15

-49%

71

2003

54

-38%

23

51%

31

2004

68

27%

9

-62%

59

2005

53

-22%

22

155%

31

2006

67

26%

29

31%

38

2007

84

26%

42

42%

43

2008

82

-3%

43

4%

39

14

229

2009

92

12%

39

-10%

53

2010

118

28%

31

-21%

87

2011

136

15%

28

-10%

108

The Arab Irish Journal | 39

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Djbouti 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

111

358

Soft Drink concentrate

Djbouti Djibouti Embassy in Paris France. 26 rue Emile Menier 75116, Paris Tel: +33-1-47274922 E-mail: contact@ambassadedjibouti.org Website: www.Doingbusiness.org

0%

223%

116

32%

-

Chemical materials & products

0%

72

20%

-

Aircraft engines and parts

0%

41

11%

-

0%

39

11%

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts Telecommunications & sound equipment

0%

29

8%

-

Road vehicles

0%

25

7%

-

9%

20

6%

100%

0%

10

3%

-

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

10

Manufactures of metals Specialised industrial machinery

0%

4

1%

-

Prefab buildings; plumbing & electrical fixtures & fittings

0%

2

1%

-

Imports (€000)

% of total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

IMPORTS

8 Cork & wood manufactures (excl. furniture) Articles of apparel; clothing accessories

1

Organic chemicals (mainly for pharamaceutical sector) Manufactures of metals

Djbouti Fact File Country Name

Republic of Djibouti

Population

864,202 - 2009

Languages

Arabic (official), French (commercial)

Currency

Djibouti Franc (DFr) = 100 centimes

Official Religion Capital

Business Hours

Islam Djibouti Ville Government 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

40 | The Arab Irish Journal

1

38

375%

0%

20

53%

-

13%

7

18%

600%

0%

6

16%

-

13%

3

8%

200%

Paper, paperboard & articles thereof

0%

1

3%

-

Certain other misc products (incl.

Estimates)

0%

1

3%

-

Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles & related products

0%

0

0%

-

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts

0%

0

0%

-

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Djbouti Year

Exports (€m)

2000

0.12

2001

0.13

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

0.082 8%

0.026

0.03 -68%

0.10 -0.04

2002

0.02

-88%

0.054

108%

2003

0.48

3080%

0.363

572%

0.11

2004

0.07

-85%

0.008

-98%

0.07 -0.51

2005

0.02

-79%

0.520

6400%

2006

0.41

2613%

0.098

-81%

0.31

2007

0.30

-27%

0.169

72%

0.13 -0.09

2008

0.01

-96%

0.107

-37%

2009

0.11

762%

0.026

-76%

0.09

2010

0.11

-1%

0.008

-69%

0.10

2011

0.36

223%

0.038

375%

0.32

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Iraq 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

31,230

Iraq EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ 4 Elvaston Place, London SW7 5QH Tel: 004420 7594 0180.

Fax: 004420 7584 6787 E-Mail: lonemb@iraqmfamail.com Website: www.iraqembassy.org.uk Consular Section 3 Elvaston Place, SW7 5QH Tel: 004420 7590 9220.

Fax: 004420 7590 9226 Cultural Attaché Office 20 Queen’s Gate, SW7 5JE Tel: 004420 7581 8652.

Fax: 004420 7581 1038

Iraq Fact File Republic of Iraq

Population

31,494,287 (2009 World Bank)

Languages

Arabic (official), English widely spoken

52%

Dairy products

4,917

16%

15,711

33%

220%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

7,458

24%

10,031

21%

34%

Soft Drink concentrate

7,069

23%

7,309

15%

3%

Medical & pharmaceutical products

6,534

21%

5,072

11%

-22%

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

2,351

8%

2,778

6%

18%

Telecommunications & sound equipment

584

2%

1,729

4%

196%

Stents, Pacemakers, digital media, Artificial Body Parts etc

430

1%

1,124

2%

161%

Medical Devices

370

1%

1,071

2%

189%

Aircraft engines and parts

200

1%

885

2%

343%

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts

216

1%

664

1%

207%

Imports (€000)

% of total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

0%

2,566

98% -

IMPORTS

98 Organic chemicals (mainly for pharamaceutical sector)

2,621

2574%

Makeup Products, Softdrink Concentrate, Hair products

10

10%

35

1%

250%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

14

14%

7

0%

-50%

Specialised industrial machinery

0

0%

3

0%

-

Misc Plastic, Stents, Other Misc Articles

34

35%

2

0%

-94%

0%

2

0%

-

7%

1

0%

-86%

Metalworking machinery

Country Name

47,534

Articles of apparel; clothing accessories

7

Manufactures of metals

3

3%

1

0%

-67%

Road vehicles

2

2%

1

0%

-50%

Medical Devices

0

0%

1

0%

-

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Iraq

Currency

Iraqi Dinar (ID) = 1,000 fils

Official Religion

Islam

2002

23

-2%

0.81

-3%

22

Capital

Baghdad

2003

12

-47%

0.32

-61%

12

2004

10

-15%

0.85

168%

9

Business Hours

Government offices: 08:00 to 14:00 (Sunday to Thursday)

2005

10

3%

1.42

67%

9

Banks: 08:00 to 14:0 (Sunday to Thursday Commercial Offices: 09:00 to 18:00 (Sunday to Thursday)

Year

Exports (€m)

2000

20

2001

23

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

0.14 17%

0.84

19 515%

22

2006

14

38%

6.42

351%

8

2007

25

71%

7.72

20%

17

2008

19

-24%

9.02

17%

10

2009

29

53%

0.32

-96%

28

2010

31

9%

0.10

-69%

31

2011

48

52%

2.62

2574%

45

The Arab Irish Journal | 41

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Jordan 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

41%

15%

59,266

JORDAN

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

20,637

Soft Drink concentrate

Jordan Fact File Country Name

34%

18,615

33%

-9%

6,509

11%

6,337

11%

-3%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

3,525

6%

2,334

4%

-34%

Dairy products Organic chemicals (mainly for pharmaceutical sector)

Population

5,961,000 (2009)

Languages

Arabic (official), English (Commercial)

Currency

Jordanian Dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils

Official Religion

Islam

Capital Business Hours

Baghdad Government offices: 08:00 to 15:00 (Sunday to Thursday) Banks: 08:30 to 15:00 (Sunday to Thursday) 08.30-13.00 & 15.30-18.30 (Sunday to Thursday) Reduced hours during Ramadan

42 | The Arab Irish Journal

997

2%

904

2%

-9%

1,086

2%

893

2%

-18%

613

1%

772

1%

26%

Plastics in primary forms

707

1%

645

1%

-9%

Stents, Pacemakers, digital media, Artificial Body Parts etc

605

1%

578

1%

-4%

Chemical materials & products

641

1%

439

1%

-32%

Imports (€000)

% of total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

IMPORTS

658 Medical & pharmaceutical products

697

6%

506

77%

498

71%

-2%

Articles of apparel; clothing accessories

5

1%

56

8%

1020%

Crude fertilisers & minerals, excl. coal, petroleum etc.

0

0%

54

8%

-

Animal or vegetable materials

0%

46

7%

-

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

4

1%

11

2%

0%

9

1%

-

Furniture & parts thereof; bedding, cushions etc

0

0%

7

1%

-

Inorganic chemicals

7

1%

4

1%

-43%

Medical Devices

4

1%

3

0%

-25%

Non-alcoholic Beverages, Beer and Wine

2

0%

3

0%

50%

Fixed vegetable fats & oils

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

-3%

20,408

His Excellency Mr. Mazen Homoud Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary National Day: 25th May

23,655

Medical & pharmaceutical products

Medical Devices

EMBASSY OF THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN 6 Upper Phillimore Gardens, Kensington, London W8 7HA Tel: 004420 7937 3685.

Fax: 004420 7937 8795.

E-Mail: london@fm.gov.jo Website: www.jordanembassy.org.uk

57,212 35%

175%

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Jordan Year

Exports (€m)

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

2000

18

2001

38

109%

2002

28

-25%

3.67

-4%

25

2003

27

-6%

2.61

-29%

24

2004

23

-14%

2.82

8%

20

2005

27

19%

2.12

-25%

25

3.44 3.84

15 11%

34

2006

31

14%

2.95

39%

28

2007

39

26%

2.34

-21%

36

2008

53

36%

1.55

-34%

51

2009

49

-8%

0.88

-44%

48

2010

59

22%

0.66

-25%

59

2011

57

-3%

0.70

6%

57

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Kuwait 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

29%

22%

63,450

KUWAIT EMBASSY OF THE STATE OF KUWAIT 2 Albert Gate, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7JU Tel: 004420 7590 3400 His Excellency Mr. Khaled Al-Duwaisan Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

100,747

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

24,369

38%

Soft Drink concentrate

19,193

30%

28,068

28%

46%

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts

2,247

4%

18,086

18%

705%

Medical & pharmaceutical products

8,054

13%

9,348

9%

16%

Telecommunications & sound equipment

1,646

3%

6,210

6%

277%

Stents, Pacemakers, digital media, Artificial Body Parts etc

1,324

2%

2,068

2%

56%

Medical Devices

1,656

3%

1,531

2%

-8%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

1,137

2%

1,398

1%

23%

Dairy products

675

1%

961

1%

42%

Inorganic chemicals

577

1%

861

1%

49%

Imports (€000)

% of total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

30%

200

44%

IMPORTS

National Day: 25th February

509 Misc Plastic, Stents, Other Misc Articles

Kuwait Fact File Country Name

State of Kuwait

Population

3,440,000 (2009 census)

Languages

Arabic (official), English (Commercial)

Currency

Kuwait Dinar (KD) = 1,000 fils

Official Religion Capital

Business Hours

Islam Kuwait City Government 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

59%

29,625

155

457

-10% 29%

Dairy products

73

14%

92

20%

26%

Makeup Products, Softdrink Concentrate, Hair products

51

10%

39

9%

-24%

Meat & meat preparations

0%

38

8%

-

Plastics in primary forms

0%

35

8%

-

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits

3

1%

24

5%

700%

Manufactures of metals

0

0%

19

4%

-

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

2

0%

4

1%

100%

Medical Devices

1

0%

3

1%

200%

Articles of apparel; clothing accessories

0

0%

2

0%

-

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Kuwait Year

Exports (€m)

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

2000

52

2001

64

23%

2002

49

-23%

0.1

-28%

49

2003

48

-2%

19.3

25938%

29

3.4 0.1

48 -97%

64

2004

49

2%

0.1

-100%

49

2005

50

2%

0.7

753%

50

2006

64

27%

0.5

-19%

63

2007

57

-11%

0.3

-40%

56

2008

55

-3%

0.4

13%

55

2009

57

4%

42.0

11067%

15

2010

63

11%

0.5

-99%

63

2011

101

59%

0.5

-10%

100

The Arab Irish Journal | 43

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Lebanon 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

58,034

LEBANON EMBASSY OF LEBANON 21 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QN Tel: 004420 7727 6696 / 004420 7727 6710.

Fax: 004420 7243 1699.

E-Mail: emb.leb@btinternet.com Her Excellency Mrs. Inaam Osseiran Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

54,252

16,225

28%

16,417

30%

Soft Drink concentrate

22,326

38%

15,480

29%

-31%

500

1%

4,243

8%

749%

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

5,677

10%

4,132

8%

-27%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

2,274

4%

3,068

6%

35%

Telecommunications & sound equipment

4,923

8%

2,393

4%

-51%

Medical Devices

Dairy products

423

1%

1,784

3%

322%

854

1%

1,070

2%

25%

Organic chemicals (mainly for pharamaceutical sector)

631

1%

872

2%

38%

Chemical materials & products

681

1%

778

1%

14%

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

IMPORTS

1,230

Country Name

Republic of Lebanon

Population

4,223,553 (2009)

938

401

33%

329

35%

-18%

Paper, paperboard & articles thereof

460

37%

251

27%

-45%

Plastics in non-primary forms

28

2%

80

9%

186%

Non-alcoholic Beverages, Beer and Wine

42

3%

50

5%

19% 614%

Vegetables & fruit Manufactures of metals Misc Plastic, Stents, Other Misc Articles Medical Devices Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

7

1%

50

5%

24

2%

35

4%

46%

4

0%

30

3%

650%

11

1%

20

2%

82%

2

0%

18

2%

800%

11

1%

16

2%

45%

Arabic (official), English and French (Commercial)

Chemical materials & products

Currency

Lebanese Pound (LP) = 100 piastres

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Lebanon

Official Religion

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

2000

65

2001

44

2002

47

Capital

Beirut

2003

38

2004

29

2005

24

Business Hours

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

2006

30

2007

31

44 | The Arab Irish Journal

-24%

Iron & steel

Languages

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

1%

Stents, Pacemakers, digital media, Artificial Body Parts etc

National Day: 22nd November

Lebanon Fact File

-7%

Medical & pharmaceutical products

Year

Exports (€m)

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

1 -32%

64

2

146%

42

7%

1

-39%

46

-20%

2

82%

36

-24%

1

-46%

28

-16%

2

44%

23

23%

4

169%

26

4%

2

-44%

29

2008

32

4%

4

83%

28

2009

35

6%

1

-87%

34

2010

58

68%

1

122%

57

2011

54

-7%

1

-24%

53

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Libya 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

4,845

-88%

23,480

61%

1,873

39%

-92%

Dairy products

3,981

10%

1,133

23%

-72%

Medical & pharmaceutical products

3,601

9%

623

13%

-83%

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

1,939

5%

371

8%

-81%

38,767 Soft Drink concentrate

LIBYA

Inorganic chemicals

EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE’S BUREAU OF THE GREAT SOCIALIST PEOPLE’S LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIAYA 15 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LY Tel: 004420 7201 8280.

Fax: 004420 7245 0588.

His Excellency Mr. Omar Ramadan Jelban Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

319

1%

212

4%

-34%

3

0%

131

3%

4267%

Crude fertilisers & minerals, excl. coal, petroleum etc.

159

0%

106

2%

-33%

Organic chemicals (mainly for pharamaceutical sector)

672

2%

93

2%

-86%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

1,073

3%

55

1%

-95%

409

1%

42

1%

-90%

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

Spirits\Whiskey, Beer\Cider & other Beverages

Specialised industrial machinery

IMPORTS

National Day: 24th December

340,074 Petroleum, petroleum products & related materials

0%

43

0%

-

3

0%

0

0%

1,840

1%

0%

-100%

Misc Plastic, Stents, Other Misc Articles

6

0%

0%

-100%

Non-metallic mineral manufactures

1

0%

0%

-100%

Telecommunications & sound equipment

0

0%

0%

-

Articles of apparel; clothing accessories

0

0%

0%

-

Medical Devices

0

0%

0%

-

Fertilisers other than Crude fertilisers & minerals

Country Name

Libya

Population

6,419,925 (2009)

Languages

Arabic (official), English and French (Commercial)

Currency

Libyan Dinar (LD) = 1,000 dirhams

Official Religion

Islam

Capital

Business Hours

Tripoli Government 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

-73%

93,073

Metalworking machinery

Libya Fact File

93,116 99%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

338,224

100%

-72%

-100%

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Libya Year

Exports (€m)

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

2000

13

2001

8

-39%

0.000

-100%

2002

6

-22%

0.005

6

0.440

13 8

2003

3

-44%

0.059

1080%

3

2004

13

264%

21

36290%

-9

2005

18

40%

0.001

-100%

18

2006

19

9%

0.005

400%

19

2007

30

54%

2008

26

-12%

112 2237940% 157

40%

-82 -131

2009

26

1%

258

65%

-232

2010

39

46%

340

32%

-301

2011

5

-88%

93

-73%

-88

The Arab Irish Journal | 45

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Mauritania 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

% change on

JanDec 2010

JanDec 2010

JanDec 2011

JanDec 2011

JanDec 2010

902

Mauritania Mauritanian embassy in Paris.

5 Rue de Montevideo 75116 Paris, France Tel: +33 1 4504 8854 Email: ambassade.mauritanie@wanadoo.fr.

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

1,398

377

Aircraft engines and parts

55%

42%

615

44%

63%

0%

238

17%

-

Specialised Industrial machinery

0%

228

16%

-

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits

0%

101

7%

-

Road vehicles

127

14%

81

6%

-36%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

208

23%

26

2%

-88%

0%

22

2%

-

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts Soft Drink concentrate

0%

19

1%

-

Metalworking machinery

0%

16

1%

-

Manufactures of metals

0%

15

1%

-

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

% change on

JanDec 2010

JanDec 2010

JanDec 2011

JanDec 2011

JanDec 2010

IMPORTS

55

Country Name

Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Population

3,290,630 (2009)

Languages

Arabic (official), French (commercial)

Currency

Ouguiya = 5 kloums

Official Religion

Islam

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

46 | The Arab Irish Journal

-35%

Crude fertilisers & minerals, excl. coal, petroleum etc.

0

0%

18

50%

-

Articles of apparel; clothing accessories

3

5%

12

33%

300%

50

91%

3

8%

-94%

Vegetables & fruit

Mauritania Fact File

36

Chemical materials & products

0%

3

8%

-

Misc Plastic, Stents, Other Misc Articles

0%

0

0%

-

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits

2

4%

0%

-100%

Telecommunications & sound equipment

0

0%

0%

-

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Mauritania Year

Exports (€m)

2000

2.04

2001

2.07

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

0.10 1%

6.15

2 6242%

-4 -11

2002

0.51

-75%

11.60

88%

2003

0.30

-41%

0.01

-100%

0

2004

0.52

74%

0.00

-91%

1

2005

0.12

-78%

0.01

500%

0

2006

0.24

106%

0.01

17%

0

2007

0.58

141%

0.02

200%

1

2008

0.31

-46%

0.03

24%

0

2009

0.25

-20%

0.11

338%

0

2010

0.90

259%

0.06

-52%

1

2011

1.40

55%

0.04

-35%

1

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Morocco 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

64,924

Morocco EMBASSY OF THE KINGDOM OF MOROCCO 39 Raglan Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 Tel: 01 660 9449 Fax: 01 660 9468.

E-Mail: sifamdub@indigo.ie His Excellency Mr. Anas Khales Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mrs. Mounia Ghannam Khales

57,613

26,416

41%

22,502

39%

Chemical materials & products

14,193

22%

13,051

23%

-8%

Dairy products

5,907

9%

5,042

9%

-15%

Live animals other than fish, crustaceans, molluscs

2,842

4%

2,941

5%

3%

Specialised industrial machinery

710

1%

2,540

4%

258%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

3%

1,544

3%

-14%

Stents, Pacemakers, digital media, Artificial Body Parts etc

1,295

2%

1,501

3%

16%

Aircraft engines and parts

1,378

2%

1,203

2%

-13%

Medical & pharmaceutical products

440

1%

999

2%

127%

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts

220

0%

959

2%

336%

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

IMPORTS

17%

11,408

44%

308%

Articles of apparel; clothing accessories

8,864

53%

8,514

33%

-4%

Vegetables & fruit

2,305

14%

2,735

10%

19%

Misc Plastic, Stents, Other Misc Articles

139

1%

1,303

5%

837%

Aircraft engines and parts

712

4%

855

3%

20%

54

0%

296

1%

448%

264

2%

292

1%

11%

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits

1,256

8%

263

1%

-79%

0%

85

0%

-

27

0%

75

0%

Telecommunications & sound equipment Feeding stuff for animals (excl. unmilled cereals)

Population

31,992,592 (2009)

Crude animal & vegetable materials

Languages

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

Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles & related products

Currency

Moroccan Dinar (MD) = 100 centimes

Official Religion

Islam

Business Hours

Government 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)

56%

2,799

Kingdom of Morocco

Rabat

26,120

Fertilisers other than Crude fertilisers & minerals

Country Name

Capital

-15%

1,795

16,724

Morocco Fact File

-11%

Soft Drink concentrate

178%

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Morocco Year

Exports (€m)

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

2000

87

46

42

2001

121

38%

62

37%

58

2002

113

-6%

45

-29%

68

2003

110

-2%

36

-19%

74

2004

127

15%

28

-22%

98

2005

109

-14%

28

0%

80

2006

88

-19%

24

-14%

64

2007

76

-14%

35

42%

42

2008

76

0%

26

-26%

51

2009

62

-18%

17

-33%

45

2010

65

4%

17

-2%

48

2011

58

-11%

26

56%

31

The Arab Irish Journal | 47

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Oman 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

38,442

40,320

5%

21,727

57%

21,669

54%

0%

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

5,276

14%

6,035

15%

14%

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts

2,158

6%

3,007

7%

39%

Medical & pharmaceutical products

2,327

6%

2,640

7%

13%

Medical Devices

1,799

5%

2,399

6%

33%

748

2%

1,267

3%

69%

Soft Drink concentrate

Oman EMBASSY OF THE SULTANATE OF OMAN 167 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5HE Tel: 004420 7225 0001.

Fax: 004420 7589 2505.

E-mail: theembassy@omanembassy.org.uk H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Abdullah Zahir Al Hinai Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices Specialised industrial machinery

510

1%

454

1%

-11%

Stents Pacemakers, digital media, Artificial Body Parts etc

702

2%

440

1%

-37%

Inorganic chemicals

388

1%

329

1%

-15%

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits

648

2%

287

1%

-56%

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

52%

41%

IMPORTS National Day: 18th November

6,694

Oman Fact File Country Name

Sultanate of Oman

Population

2,845,415 (2009)

Languages

Arabic (official), English is widely spoken

Currency

Omani Riyal (OR) = 1,000 Baizas

Official Religion Capital

Business Hours

Islam Muscat 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

48 | The Arab Irish Journal

Plastics in non-primary forms

2,596

Plastics in primary forms Furniture & parts thereof; bedding, cushions etc

6,991

4%

39%

3,649

3,068

46%

2,117

30%

-31%

820

12%

799

11%

-3%

Prefab buildings; plumbing & electrical fixtures & fittings

43

1%

172

2%

300%

Medical & pharmaceutical products

20

0%

171

2%

755%

Misc Plastic, Stents, Other Misc Articles

27

0%

40

1%

48%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

14

0%

18

0%

29%

2

0%

9

0%

350%

Medical Devices Aircraft engines and parts

23

0%

6

0%

-74%

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits

12

0%

5

0%

-58%

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Oman Year

Exports (€m)

2000

25

2001

38

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

0.5 54%

2.1

24 294%

35

2002

23

-39%

1.5

-32%

22

2003

18

-22%

1.3

-10%

17

2004

17

-7%

1.5

13%

15

2005

21

25%

2.0

33%

19

2006

24

15%

2.4

24%

22

2007

23

-4%

10.6

337%

12

2008

24

5%

2.3

-79%

22

2009

27

13%

1.6

-30%

26

2010

38

40%

6.7

327%

32

2011

40

5%

7.0

4%

33

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Qatar 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

32,228

Qatar EMBASSY OF THE STATE OF QATAR 1 South Audley Street, London W1K 1NB Tel: 004420 7493 2200.

Fax: 004420 7493 2661.

E-mail: qatarembassy@hotmail.co.uk His Excellency Mr. Khalid Rashid Al-Hamoudi AlMansouri Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mrs. Mooza Saif Al-Mansouri

45,317

8,391

26%

10,993

24%

31%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

4,689

15%

6,409

14%

37%

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

4,986

15%

4,955

11%

-1%

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits

1,333

4%

4,580

10%

244%

Medical & pharmaceutical products

4,574

14%

4,418

10%

-3%

Stents, Pacemakers, digital media, Artificial Body Parts etc

2,671

8%

4,186

9%

57%

Manufactures of metals

725

2%

4,005

9%

452%

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts

2,061

6%

2,241

5%

9%

Medical Devices

1,152

4%

841

2%

-27%

0%

542

1%

-

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

Iron & steel

IMPORTS

National Day: 18th December

4,156

Country Name

State of Qatar

Population

1,409,423 (2009)

1,245

-70%

Plastics in primary forms

2,379

57%

677

54%

-72%

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits

141

3%

257

21%

82%

Organic chemicals (mainly for pharamaceutical sector)

36

1%

144

12%

300%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

48

1%

86

7%

79%

Telecommunications & sound equipment

2

0%

47

4%

2250%

47

1%

17

1%

-64%

Articles of apparel; clothing accessories

2

0%

6

0%

200%

Misc Plastic, Stents, Other Misc Articles

6

0%

5

0%

-17%

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts

0

0%

2

0%

-

0%

2

0%

-

Medical Devices

Qatar Fact File

41%

Soft Drink concentrate

Non-ferrous metals

Languages

Arabic (official), English is widely spoken

Currency

Qatar Riyal (QR) = 100 dirhams

Year 2000

14

0.31

14

Islam

2001

21

53%

0.38

23%

21

2002

16

-25%

6.16

1539%

10

2003

11

-32%

1.56

-75%

9

2004

12

10%

0.70

-55%

11

Official Religion Capital

Doha

Business Hours

Government offices: 06:00 to 14:00 (Sunday to Thursday) Banks: 07:30 to 13:00 (Sunday to Thursday Reduced hours during Ramadan

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Qatar Exports (€m)

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

2005

14

19%

3.38

383%

11

2006

21

44%

0.95

-72%

20

2007

22

5%

4.88

415%

17

2008

24

12%

4.68

-4%

20

2009

26

6%

2.93

-37%

23

2010

32

25%

4.16

42%

28

2011

45

41%

1.25

-70%

44

The Arab Irish Journal | 49

Trade and Commerce

50 | The Arab Irish Journal

Trade and Commerce

The Arab Irish Journal | 51

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Saudi Arabia 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

498,975 Soft Drink concentrate

Saudi Arabia ROYAL EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA 6 & 7 Fitzwilliam Square East, Dublin 2.

Tel: 01 676 0704.

Fax: 01 676 0715.

E-Mail: duemb@mofa.gov.sa His Excellency Mr. Abdulaziz Abdulrahman Aldriss Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mrs. Amal Alkhodairy

527,987 46%

248,411

47%

8%

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

85,754

17%

86,481

16%

1%

Medical & pharmaceutical products

59,212

12%

77,179

15%

30%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

19,484

4%

32,935

6%

69%

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts

46,343

9%

17,601

3%

-62%

Dairy products

13,276

3%

12,085

2%

-9%

Medical Devices

6,515

1%

9,978

2%

53%

Stents, Pacemakers, digital media, Artificial Body Parts etc

8,672

2%

9,776

2%

13%

Organic chemicals (mainly for pharamaceutical sector)

6,604

1%

7,265

1%

10%

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits

5,334

1%

3,808

1%

-29%

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

2,709

24%

2,653

46%

-2%

334

3%

616

11%

84%

IMPORTS

National Day: 23rd September

11,325 Vegetables & fruit Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices Plastics in primary forms Aircraft and Parts (not including engines)

Saudi Arabia Fact File

5,777

196

2%

554

10%

183%

55%

444

8%

-93%

Aircraft engines and parts

269

2%

345

6%

28%

Plastics in non-primary forms

148

1%

318

6%

115%

Telecommunications & sound equipment

155

1%

180

3%

16%

55

0%

136

2%

147%

0%

76

1%

-

5%

59

1%

-89%

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Population

25,391,100 (2009)

Prefab buildings; plumbing & electrical fixtures & fittings

Languages

Arabic (official), English (Commercial)

Misc Plastic, Stents, Other Misc Articles

Currency

Saudi Riyals (SAR) = 100 halala

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Saudi Arabia

Capital

Business Hours

Islam Riyadh Government 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

52 | The Arab Irish Journal

-49%

6,261

Country Name

Official Religion

6%

230,577

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits

Year

532

Exports (€m)

2000

357

2001

388

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

2

355

9%

3

75%

385

2002

364

-6%

26

724%

338

2003

274

-25%

7

-75%

267

2004

250

-9%

2

-64%

247

2005

291

17%

4

58%

287

2006

333

14%

5

22%

328

2007

368

11%

50

1009%

318

2008

378

3%

7

-86%

371

2009

419

11%

5

-27%

414

2010

499

19%

11

126%

488

2011

528

6%

6

-49%

522

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Somalia 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

90%

111%

522

Somalia Diplomatic representation in Somalia is provided by the Irish Embassy in Tanzania.

Website: www.embassyofireland.or.tz

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

274

Chemical materials & products

644

23%

52%

577

0%

22

3%

-

59

11%

17

3%

Prefab buildings; plumbing & electrical fixtures & fittings

0%

12

2%

-

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits

0%

10

2%

-

Medical & pharmaceutical products

Manufactures of metals 0%

-71%

3

0%

-

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts

0%

2

0%

-

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

0%

1

0%

-

Fertilisers other than Crude fertilisers & minerals

162

31%

0%

-100%

17

3%

0%

-100%

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

0%

5

33%

-

1

8%

3

20%

0%

3

20%

-

1

8%

2

13%

0%

2

13%

-

Organic chemicals (mainly for pharamaceutical sector)

IMPORTS

12 Electronic Components & intergrated circuits Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices Footwear Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles & related products Coin (other than gold coin), not being legal tender

Somalia Fact File

15

1

8%

0

0%

-100%

0

0%

0

0%

-

Non-alcoholic Beverages, Beer and Wine

0%

0

0%

-

Non-metallic mineral manufactures

0%

0

0%

-

0%

0

0%

-

Population

9,133,124 (2009)

Non-ferrous metals

Languages

Somalian (official), Arabic, English & Italian

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Somalia

Official Religion Capital Business Hours

Islam Mogadishu Government offices: 07:30 to 14:30 (Saturday to Thursday) Banks: 08:00 to 12:00 (Saturday to Thursday) Hours vary during Ramadan

100%

Specialised industrial machinery

Somali Democratic Republic

Somalia Shilling

200%

Articles of apparel; clothing accessories

Country Name

Currency

25%

Year

Exports (€m)

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

2000

0.73

0.05

0.68

2001

0.30

-59%

0.18

226%

0.13

2002

0.14

-53%

0.00

-99%

0.14

2003

0.03

-77%

0.02

2000%

0.01

2004

0.03

3%

0.03

33%

0.01

2005

0.04

12%

0.01

-57%

0.03

2006

0.01

-84%

0.00

-92%

0.01

2007

0.04

517%

0.01

900%

0.03

2008

0.11

197%

0.00

-80%

0.11

2009

0.18

67%

0.02

650%

0.17

2010

0.52

184%

0.01

-20%

0.51

2011

0.64

23%

0.02

25%

0.63

The Arab Irish Journal | 53

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Sudan 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

16,352

13,699

10,615

65%

7,885

58%

-26%

2,570

16%

1,957

14%

-24%

Medical & pharmaceutical products

618

4%

1,413

10%

129%

Organic chemicals (mainly for pharamaceutical sector)

919

6%

1,243

9%

35%

Soft Drink concentrate

Sudan EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE SUDAN 3 Cleveland Row, St. James’s, London SW1A 1DD Tel: 004420 7839 8080.

Fax: 004420 7839 7560.

E-Mail: admin@sudanembassy.co.uk Website: www.sudanembassy.co.uk

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

-16%

Chemical materials & products

603

4%

310

2%

-49%

Medical Devices

472

3%

210

2%

-56%

Specialised industrial machinery

151

1%

196

1%

30%

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits

247

2%

195

1%

-21%

Road vehicles

0%

143

1%

-

27

0%

44

0%

63%

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

Textile fibres & their wastes

Mr. Mohamed Hussein Hassan Zaroug Deputy Head of Mission

IMPORTS

National Day: 1st January

615 Crude animal & vegetable materials

613

Paper, paperboard & articles thereof

Country Name

Republic of Sudan

-60%

228

92%

-63%

0%

13

5%

-

Crude fertilisers & minerals, excl. coal, petroleum etc.

1

0%

8

3%

700%

Travel goods, handbags & similar containers

0

0%

0

0%

-

0%

0

0%

-

Non-alcoholic Beverages, Beer and Wine

1

0%

0%

-100%

Manufactures of metals

0

0%

0%

-

Aircraft and Parts (not including engines)

Sudan Fact File

249 100%

Footwear

0

0%

0%

-

0

0%

0%

-

Population

42,272,435 (2009

Misc Plastic, Stents, Other Misc Articles

Languages

Arabic (official), English and various tribal languages

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Sudan

Currency

Sudanese Pound (£SUD) = 100 piastres

Year

Exports (€m)

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

2000

7.79

1.01

7

2001

13.75

76%

0.87

-14%

13

2002

14.10

3%

1.17

35%

13

Official Religion

Islam

Capital

Khartoum

2003

18.69

33%

1.29

10%

17

2004

11.60

-38%

0.01

-100%

12

2005

16.44

42%

1.69

33700%

15

Business Hours

Government offices: 08:00 to 14:00 (Saturday to Thursday)

2006

16.26

-1%

1.41

-16%

15

2007

11.95

-26%

2.38

69%

10

2008

11.51

-4%

1.07

-55%

10

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

54 | The Arab Irish Journal

2009

11.76

2%

1.13

6%

11

2010

16.35

39%

0.62

-46%

16

2011

13.70

-16%

0.25

-60%

13

Trade and Commerce Top 10 Commodities Traded with Syria 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

28,504 Soft Drink concentrate

Syria EMBASSY OF THE SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC 8 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PH Tel: 004420 7245 9012.

Fax: 004420 7235 4621.

E-Mail: info@syrianembassy.co.uk / paoffice@ syriaembassy.co.uk Website: www.syremb.com

26,172 36%

6,695

26%

-35%

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

4,650

16%

5,016

19%

8%

Medical & pharmaceutical products

3,935

14%

3,975

15%

1%

Dairy products

2,145

8%

3,971

15%

85%

Chemical materials & products

1,860

7%

2,474

9%

33%

Specialised industrial machinery

1,565

5%

1,337

5%

-15%

Organic chemicals (mainly for pharamaceutical sector)

1,397

5%

1,110

4%

-21%

911

3%

556

2%

30

0%

334

1%

1013%

1,118

4%

254

1%

-77%

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

32%

-36%

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts Telecommunications & sound equipment Medical Devices

National Day: 17th April

323 Articles of apparel; clothing accessories

Syrian Arab Republic

Population

21,092,262 (2009)

Languages

Arabic (official), English and French are widely spoken

Currency

Syrian Pound (£S) = 100 piastres

Official Religion

Islam

Capital Business Hours

Damascus Government offices: 08:30 to 14:00 (Saturday to Thursday) Banks: 08:00 to 14:00 (Saturday to Thursday) Christian businesses tend to close on Sundays Muslim firms on Fridays

46%

73% 0%

138

29%

-

9

3%

119

25%

1222%

0%

34

7%

-

2%

10

2%

25%

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits Non-alcoholic Beverages, Beer and Wine

473

235

Non-ferrous metals Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles & related products

Country Name

-39%

IMPORTS

Mr. Ghassan Dalla Minister-Counsellor and Chargé d’Affaires a.i.

Syria Fact File

-8%

10,294

8

151

Road vehicles

4

1%

7

1%

75%

Misc Plastic, Stents, Other Misc Articles

4

1%

5

1%

25%

Furniture & parts thereof; bedding, cushions etc

0%

5

1%

-

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts

0%

2

0%

-

1

0%

1

0%

Rubber manufactures

0%

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Syria Year

Exports (€m)

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

2000

7.79

1.01

7

2001

13.75

76%

0.87

-14%

13

2002

14.10

3%

1.17

35%

13

2003

18.69

33%

1.29

10%

17

2004

11.60

-38%

0.01

-100%

12

2005

16.44

42%

1.69

33700%

15

2006

16.26

-1%

1.41

-16%

15

2007

11.95

-26%

2.38

69%

10

2008

11.51

-4%

1.07

-55%

10

2009

11.76

2%

1.13

6%

11

2010

16.35

39%

0.62

-46%

16

2011

13.70

-16%

0.25

-60%

13

The Arab Irish Journal | 55

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Tunisia 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

11,265

Tunisia

16%

4,568

29%

147%

Medical & pharmaceutical products

2,495

22%

3,774

24%

51%

Soft Drink concentrate

108

1%

1,446

9%

1239%

Dairy products

835

7%

1,354

9%

62%

1,700

15%

1,215

8%

-29%

Stents, Pacemakers, digital media, Artificial Body Parts etc

703

6%

564

4%

-20%

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

796

7%

527

3%

-34%

Meat & meat preparations Specialised industrial machinery

His Excellency Mr. Hatem Atallah Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mrs. Faika Atallah

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

604

5%

440

3%

-27%

1,000

9%

355

2%

-65%

286

3%

268

2%

-6%

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

IMPORTS

National Day: 20th March

20,861 21%

4,339

36%

0%

Medical Devices

1,117

5%

2,313

19%

107%

11,139

53%

1,872

16%

-83%

Road vehicles

Country Name

Crude fertilisers & minerals, excl. coal, petroleum etc.

10,432,500 (2009)

Languages

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

Currency

Tunisian Dinar (TD) = 1,000 millimes

Official Religion

Islam

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

56 | The Arab Irish Journal

-43%

4,348

Tunisia Fact File

Population

11,915

Articles of apparel; clothing accessories

Fertilisers other than Crude fertilisers & minerals

Tunisian Republic

39%

1,848

Organic chemicals (mainly for pharamaceutical sector)

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA 29 Prince’s Gate, London SW7 1QG Tel: 004420 7584 8117.

Fax: 004420 7584 3205.

E-Mail: London@tunisianembassy.co.uk

15,647

Chemical materials & products

730

3%

1,331

11%

82%

1,437

7%

836

7%

-42%

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits

791

4%

699

6%

-12%

Footwear

191

1%

271

2%

42%

Plastics in non-primary forms

0%

71

1%

-

Vegetables & fruit

45

0%

69

1%

53%

Non-metallic mineral manufactures

13

0%

30

0%

131%

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Tunisia Year

Exports (€m)

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

2000

13

16

-4

2001

13

3%

17

2%

-4

2002

10

-25%

16

-2%

-7 10

2003

26

165%

16

-4%

2004

9

-65%

17

6%

-8

2005

7

-25%

17

2%

-10

2006

12

75%

17

-1%

-5

2007

42

258%

20

19%

22

2008

13

-69%

18

-8%

-5

2009

11

-19%

14

-22%

-4

2010

11

7%

21

46%

-10

2011

16

39%

12

-43%

4

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with United Arab Emirates 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

269,840

United Arab Emirates EMBASSY OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 45 – 47 Pembroke Road, Dublin Tel: 01 669 8588.

Fax: 01 669 8557 E-mail: dublin@mofa.gov.ae

307,728

41,246

15%

69,274

23%

68%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

40,155

15%

52,764

17%

31%

Medical & pharmaceutical products

35,131

13%

42,371

14%

21%

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts

17,662

7%

29,710

10%

68%

Telecommunications & sound equipment

55,915

21%

26,974

9%

-52%

Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations

17,741

7%

20,743

7%

17%

Stents, Pacemakers, digital media, Artificial Body Parts etc

12,833

5%

11,793

4%

-8%

8,796

3%

9,962

3%

13%

Contact Lenses & other optical goods Dairy products

8,983

3%

8,072

3%

-10%

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits

6,901

3%

6,214

2%

-10%

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

IMPORTS

His Excellency Mr. Khalid Nasser Rashid Lootah Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary National Day: 2nd December

109,511 7%

11,073

62%

50%

Articles of apparel; clothing accessories

2,895

3%

1,869

10%

-35%

371

0%

665

4%

79%

Animal or vegetable materials

United Arab Emirates

Population

4,598,600 (2009)

Languages

Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Currency

Dirham (D) = 100 fils

Official Religion

Islam

-84%

7,378

233

0%

620

3%

166%

2,191

2%

598

3%

-73%

Telecommunications & sound equipment

275

0%

477

3%

73%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

561

1%

425

2%

-24%

Aircraft engines & parts

Misc Plastic, Stents, Other Misc Articles

Country Name

17,905

Electronic Components & intergrated circuits

Furniture & parts thereof; bedding, cushions etc

United Arab Emirates Fact File

14%

Soft Drink concentrate

980

1%

331

2%

-66%

Aircraft & Parts (not including engines)

30

0%

277

2%

823%

Sugar, sugar preparation & honey

12

0%

217

1%

1708%

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with United Arab Emirates Year

Exports (€m)

2000

218

2001

198

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

28 -9%

190

52

86%

146 152

2002

177

-11%

25

-52%

2003

115

-35%

28

12%

87

146

27%

29

4%

117

Capital

Abu Dhabi

2004

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

2005

154

5%

29

0%

125

Business Hours

2006

217

41%

37

28%

180

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

2007

291

34%

58

57%

233

2008

332

14%

18

-69%

314

2009

276

-17%

15

-14%

260

2010

270

-2%

110

608%

160

2011

308

14%

18

-84%

290

The Arab Irish Journal | 57

Trade and Commerce

Top 10 Commodities Traded with Yemen 2010/2011 EXPORTS Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

Exports (€000)

% of Total Exports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

13,580

Yemen Embassy of the Republic of Yemen 57 Cromwell Road, London. SW7 2ED Tel: +1 212 421 6934 Website: www.yemenembassy.org.uk H.E. Mr. Abdulla Ali Alradhi Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

29,689

119%

General industrial machinery & equipment & parts

5,579

41%

18,656

63%

Dairy products

3,024

22% 4,537

15%

50%

521

4%

3,321

11%

537%

3,797

28%

2,761

9%

-27%

39

0%

117

0%

200%

Medical & pharmaceutical products Infant foods & other misc. edible products & preparations Organic chemicals (mainly for pharamaceutical sector)

234%

Medical Devices

171

1%

91

0%

-47%

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

291

2%

50

0%

-83%

Specialised industrial machinery Chemical materials & products Plastics in primary forms

45

0%

44

0%

-2%

9

0%

31

0%

244%

63

0%

29

0%

-54%

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

Imports (€000)

% of Total Imports

% change on

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2010

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2011

Jan-Dec 2010

IMPORTS

4

148

66%

-

Aircraft and Parts (not including engines)

0%

46

21%

-

Non-metallic mineral manufactures

0%

13

6%

-

Cork & wood manufactures (excl. furniture)

0%

10

4%

-

100%

6

3%

50%

0

0%

0%

-

4

Crude fertilisers & minerals, excl. coal, petroleum etc.

Country Name

Republic of Yemen

Population

23,580,220 - 2009

Languages

Arabic (official), English and Arabic (Commercial)

Currency

Yemeni Rial (YER) = 100 fils

Official Religion

Islam

5475%

0%

Articles of apparel; clothing accessories

Yemen Fact File

223

Alumina, zinc & other ores and Scrap Metal

Rubber manufactures

0

0%

0%

-

Manufactures of metals

0

0%

0%

-

Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices

0

0%

0%

-

Misc Plastic, Stents, Other Misc Articles

0

0%

0%

-

Ireland’s Merchandise Trade with Yemen Year

Exports (€m)

2000

218

2001

198

Imports (€m)

Trade Balance (€m)

28 -9%

190

52

86%

146 152

2002

177

-11%

25

-52%

2003

115

-35%

28

12%

87

146

27%

29

4%

117

Capital

Sana’a

2004

Government offices: 08:00 to 14:00 (Saturday to Thursday)

2005

154

5%

29

0%

125

Business Hours

2006

217

41%

37

28%

180

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

58 | The Arab Irish Journal

2007

291

34%

58

57%

233

2008

332

14%

18

-69%

314

2009

276

-17%

15

-14%

260

2010

270

-2%

110

608%

160

2011

308

14%

18

-84%

290

The Arab Irish Journal News

News Minister for Trade and Development Welcomes Launch of Saudi-Irish Business Council The Minister for Trade and Development, Mr. Joe Costello, T.D., has welcomed the establishment of the Joint Saudi-Irish Business Council which was formally launched at a recent signing ceremony in Riyadh.

“Saudi Arabia is a key business partner for Ireland and one of our priority markets under the Government’s trade strategy. I believe the establishment of the Joint Saudi-Irish Business Council, as a joint venture between the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and the Irish- Saudi Arabian Business Council, offers real potential to further develop trade links and enhance business opportunities for companies in both countries. I wish all involved with this important venture every success and look forward to the Joint Business Council’s first formal meeting later this year.”

The Joint Saudi-Irish Business Council was formally launched at a ceremony in Riyadh recently attended by the Irish Co-Chair of the Council, Mr. Joseph Lynch, and his Saudi counterpart, Mr. Abdullah Al-Mohty, President of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Ireland’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mr. Niall Holohan, also attended the ceremony.

Council of Saudi Chambers signed with the Irish side a draft of agreement to establish the Irish Saudi Business Council , within the framework of efforts and a common desire to improve the volume of trade exchanges and investment between the two countries, in the presence of the Irish ambassador to the Kingdom, Dr. Neil Halohan.

The Agreement was signed both by the President of the Council of Saudi Chambers, Engineer Abdullah bin Saeed Almbti, and on behalf of the Irish side Mr. Joseph Lynch, a head of the Irish side in the joint business council.

After signing the agreement, Engineer Abdullah Almbti said that the joint business council aims to facilitate the continuous interaction between the Irish Saudi business sectors, increase trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, and the Council will carry out many of the commercial and promotional activities systematically in the field of trade,

Minister for Trade and Development, Mr. Joe Costello, T.D.

investment, technology transfer, services and other sectors between the Kingdom and Ireland. Moreover, it provides a platform for businessmen to define and promote their business activities and establish business partnerships between them. He also noted the importance of relations between the Kingdom and Ireland and the available investment opportunities in both countries.

For his part, Engineer Omar Bahalioh in charge, Secretary of the Council of Chambers said that the establishment of Saudi Irish Business Council is an important framework to strengthen economic relations and encourage partnerships between Saudi and Irish businessmen. He added that the agreement stipulates that the joint business council consists of representatives of businessmen interested in investing in both countries and the Council shall hold regular meetings in Riyadh and Dublin through which to discuss trade and investment cooperation between the two sides.

According to the terms of the agreement, Saudi Irish Business Council will work to facilitate the exchange of information between the Saudi and Irish business communities on the economic situation, market and facilitate available investment opportunities, strengthen the ties and agreements in the sectors of industrial and economic cooperation and submit proposals and studies to the specialized authorities in both countries to improve and develop economic cooperation as well as exchange trade delegations and hold different exhibitions and activities.

However, Mr. Joseph Lynch stressed

on the attention of Ireland to promote its economic relations with the Kingdom since it has a high economic status and pointed to the presence of 2000 Saudi students studying in Ireland. Also, he noted the areas in which cooperation can be in the areas of education, construction, medicine, agriculture, renewable energy and new technology. He considered signature of the agreement is a good indicator of the interest of the two countries to strengthen their economic relations, and he revealed the intention of the Irish side to organize a highly ranking Irish trade delegation to visit the Kingdom during the coming months.

The Ambassador of Ireland referred to the facilities provided by Ireland to the Saudis citizens and businessmen, where they can get entry visas up to (24) hours. He also said that despite the crisis, his country’s economy is still stable and strong and considered it as a good time for the establishment of economic cooperation relations achieving positive results, since the Saudi market has many investment opportunities. Moreover, he said that Ireland is one of the largest exporters of software and pharmaceutical products , and he discussed his country’s adoption of Islamic banking for a year and it is looking forward to receive Islamic investment funds.

Engineer Khalid Al-Otaibi, Assistant Secretary General for Foreign Affairs in the Council of Chambers pointed out that the establishment of the business council of Saudi and Irish businessmen came from a common desire of both sides and in implementation of the recommendations of the Saudi Irish Ministerial Committee.

The Arab Irish Journal | 59

U.A.E

L-R: Ahmad R. Younis Secretary General JA-ICC, The UAE Ambassador, H. E Khalid Nasser Rashed Lootah, Mr Joe Geoghegan Treasurer and Founding Director JA-ICC, Kaled Al Nuaimi, UAE Embassy Official.

U.A.E a growing trade partner for Ireland The UAE ambassador, H.E. Khalid Lootah, was Guest of Honour at a reception arranged by the chamber to mark the arrival of the UAE embassy in Dublin. It was held in the Merrion Hotel and attended by over 100 members, clients and friends of the Chamber.

60 | The Arab Irish Journal

“The UAE has become Ireland’s second biggest trading partner in the Arab world, and is growing in importance” said Ahmad Younis, Secretary General of the JAICC. “Our merchandise exports to the UAE in 2011 reached €270m compared to €16m when the Chamber was established 25 years ago!”

In his speech Mr Younis drew attention to a variety of interesting facts and figures about the UAE-Ireland relationship, including the following: • Over 7000 Irish people now live and work in the UAE • More than 50 Irish owned businesses have set up branch operations in the UAE to service customers in both the UAE and the surrounding markets • The UAE is the second most important longhaul flying destination out of Ireland – after the USA – with 17 flights to and from the UAE daily, offering 8,600 passenger seats per week • The UAE is now an established holiday destination for Irish travellers, and there is a growing number of UAE citizens visiting Ireland as tourists as well as business trips or attending colleges here.

There have also been significant UAE investments in Ireland over the years.

For example: • There are over 500 top quality thoroughbred

racehorses, owned by UAE interests, living and breeding happily here in Ireland • They are accommodated on 7 different UAE owned stud farms where over 240 people are employed in good jobs on a full-time basis • There are 13 UAE owned, world class, thoroughbred stallions plying their trade here, as well as 30 racehorses in training with 6 different Irish trainers Mr. Younis went on to observe that the relationship between Ireland and the UAE has been growing steadily in recent years: • Just ten years ago, in 2002, Enterprise Ireland opened a regional office in Dubai • In 2006, an Irish visa office was established in Dubai to make it easier for UAE nationals to travel to Ireland • In 2009, Tourism Ireland located its office for the Asia region in the UAE • Also in 2009, an Irish embassy to the UAE was established in Abu Dhabi with Mr Ciaran Madden as the first ambassador • In 2010 a UAE embassy was set up here in Dublin, with ambassador Khalid Lootah as the first UAE ambassador to Ireland To mark the special occasion the Chamber presented Ambassador Lootah with a specially commissioned vase, designed and made by the skilled crafts people at Tipperary Crystal Ltd.

U.A.E

Peter Jackson, John McGill, Louis Maguire (Chairman JA-ICC)

Evelyn Harrington (JA-ICC), Dr Shama, Carol Joyce (JA-ICC)

H.E. Ambassador Khalid Lootah (UAE) Mr. Ahmad Younis

Mr Fransceo Zovi, Mr. Declan Furlong, Mr Ahmad Younis

Mr. Alan McGettigan, Mr. Eric Kavanagh

The Arab Irish Journal | 61

‫قيدصت‬

LEGALISATION OF EXPORT DOCUMENTATION

‫ريدصتلا قئاثو‬

As a member of the Joint Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce,

‫ينفرشي‬، ‫ةيدنلريإلا ةيبرعلا ةفرغلا يف اوضع يتفصب‬

we are proud to offer legal and notarial services to individuals and to multi-national companies operating both in Ireland and

‫ةراجتلل ةكرتشملا‬، ‫قيثوتلا تامدخو ةينوناق تامدخ ضرع‬ ‫نم لك يف نيلماعلا تايسنجلا ةددعتم تاكرشللو صاخشألل‬ ‫ةيبرعلا نادلبلاو ادنلريا‬.

throughout the Arab countries.

We are a well established practice and provide a professional and affordable service, ensuring the completion of legalization of documentation accompanying your very valuable and hardearned export orders.

Please contact our office should you have any queries:

‫انبتكم ضرعيو‬، ‫ةاماحملا يف ةليوطلا هتربخ لضفب‬، ‫تامدخ‬ ‫قيدصت تاءارجإل مكمامتإ نمضت ةلوقعم راعسأبو ةفرتحم‬ ‫نم اريثك متلذب يتلا ريدصتلا تايبلطل ةبحاصملا قئاثولا‬ ‫ريثكلا مكل ينعت يتلاو اهيلع لوصحلل دهجلا‬. ‫انبتكمب لاصتالا ىجري مكتاراسفتسا لكل‬:

RAYMOND ST. J. O’NEILL SOLICITOR AND NOTARY PUBLIC

Courthouse Chambers, 27/29 Washington Street, Cork, Ireland Phone: 00 353 21 4273050 Mobile: 00 353 87 2533213 Fax: 00 353 21 4276786 Email: rstjon@eircom.net

The Joint Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce

‫لينوأ سمياج تنياس دنوميار‬ RAYMOND ST. J. O’NEILL ‫لدعلا بتاكو يماحم‬ ‫ناونعلا‬: Courthouse Chambers, 27/29 Washington Street, Cork, Ireland ‫فتاهلا‬: 00 353 21 4273050 ‫لاوجلا‬: 00 353 87 2533213 ‫سكافلا‬: 00 353 21 4276786 ‫ينورتكلالا ديربلا‬: rstjon@eircom.net

Irlequip Ltd, Unit 8, Moate Business Park, Moate, County Westmeath, Ireland.

Tel:+ 353 (0)90 6448877 Fax: + 353 (0)906448782 JOHN LEDWITH +353 87 2442085 Email: johnledwith@irlequip.com

Irlequip Ltd: Sales and Technical support on Putzmeister concrete pumps and Dynapac pavers and Rollers. Factory trained Technicans in the MENA region on a regular basis. Spare parts for concrete pumps , crushers , pavers and concrete plants our daily business. Spare part deliveries by airfreight. Full logistics and shipping service for all heavy and oversized equipment. Commissioning and training service for technical staff and operators. Installation of Crushing , concrete and asphalt plants New and Used Concrete pumps ,placing booms , hoists, cranes , pavers and rollers our speciality. Europe - Saudi Arabia - UAE - Qatar - Bahrain - Libya - Oman and all across MENA Region.

Supporting the Middle Eastern power sector since 1976 For over 35 years, ESB International has been helping to deliver successful energy projects and strategies for clients in the Middle East.

Our engineering and strategic consultancy services cover all aspects of the management, planning, development, design, construction, operations and maintenance of electricity transmission and distribution systems, power plants and renewable generation.

ESB International, PO Box 5922, Manama, Bahrain Tel: + 973 (0) 17 708 118 Fax: + 973 (0) 17 700 115 Web: www.esbi.ie Twitter: @esb_intl

Bahrain

L-R: Ahmad R. Younis Secretary General JA-ICC,Bahraini Ambassador,H.E. Ms Alice Thomas Samaan. Mrs. Matar,Bahrain Embassy. Louis Maguire Chairman JA-ICC

Cead Mile Failte Your Excellency On 24th May, the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce was pleased to host a dinner for the Bahraini Ambassador, H.E. Ms. Alice Thomas Samaan, to mark the occasion presenting her credentials to President Michael D. Higgins.

The Joint Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce dinner event was attended by a specially invited audience of leading Irish business executives and was hosted by Ahmad R. Younis, Secretary General & CEO of the JAICC and Louis Maguire, Chairman of the Chamber.

The guest of honour was H.E. Ms. Alice Thomas Samaan, the Ambassador of Kingdom of Bahrain to United Kingdom and Ireland, the Ambassador was accompanied by Mrs. Matar, Counsellor at the Bahrain Embassy.

H.E. Ms. Alice Thomas Samaan delivered a very positive message to Irish business executives that Bahrain strongly welcomed their participation in the country’s economic development and assistance in achieving future prosperity for its people.

The Arab Irish Journal | 63

Dubai Duty Free

Colm McLoughlin A PROFILE When you mention the name Colm Mcloughlin to any Expat based in the Middle East, you get an immediate positive reaction.

He seems to have touched upon their lives in some way shape or form, directly or indirectly.

Born and raised in Ballinasloe, Co Galway Ireland, in 1943 where he attended the local national school and later Garbally College, he was both a team player and focused individual as can be seen by his sporting prowess and achievements. Excelling at hurling, tennis, squash and rugby in his formative years, his love of all sports was an obvious passion and was a foretaste of his corporate life. The fact that he is also a single figure handicap golfer, as well as being a past Captain of Emirates Golf Club and later Captain of Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, in some ways may be an obvious reflection in his leadership abilities and business acumen in his awe inspiring career to date.

The success of Dubai Duty Free founded in 1983 by Colm and his colleagues for Aer Rianta (The Irish Airport Authority) at the request of the Dubai Government which in its opening year had a turnover of US $20 million, was only the beginning .

Last year 2011, Dubai Duty Free turned over US $ 1.46 Billion.

It is worth noting that of the original “ 100 pioneers” who like Colm joined the operation in 1983, 48 of those “pioneers” remain in active service, and include Colm’s Deputy, George Horan 64 | The Arab Irish Journal

who is now President of Dubai Duty Free with responsibility for day to day operations.

Employing 4000 staff, Dubai Duty Free is widely regarded for having set the benchmark for the duty free industry on a global basis.

In July 2011, Colm was named Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free and its subsidiary companies which include the Aviation Club, The Irish Village, The Century Village, and The Dubai Tennis Stadium. His remit also includes The Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, a 5 star hotel recently opened on the 1st of July 2012,and located adjacent to the Aviation Club.

The vision of Dubai Duty free and its owners, is in many ways a reflection of Colm’s own vision and ‘can do’ approach, of course augmented by his team.

Colms work in inter-governmental relations, and promoting all things Irish, his social activities, media relations, corporate social responsibility agenda are to be held up as an example that we can all learn from.

This can clearly be seen in his business achievements and recognition in the corporate world, as well as personal accolades.

Simply put- phenomenal, [On a global scale and too numerous to mention].

The many great works in helping the underprivileged throughout the globe, through sponsorship or cash donations makes one aware of the human side of this extraordinary man and Dubai Duty Free as a corporate entity.

Dubai Duty Free

Employing 4000 staff, Dubai Duty Free is widely regarded for having set the benchmark for the duty free industry on a  global  basis.

The Arab Irish Journal | 65

Dubai Duty Free

Breeda McLoughlin and Colm McLoughlin with Minister Lucinda Creighton T.D and HE Mr. Khalid Nasser Rashid Lootah with Paul Bradford

Breeda McLoughlin, Colm McLoughlin, Amanda Felix, Bill Lumley, at The Dfni Award

Sinead and Jihah El Sibai

Presentation to winners of the 2012 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby

Dubai Duty Free Named ‘Retail Company of the Year’ Dubai Duty Free was named ‘Retail Company of the Year’ at the prestigious Arabian Business Achievement Awards which were held at the Armani Hotel on Sunday, 20th November 2011. The airport retailer beat off strong contenders to emerge as winner in this competitive category which is open to all retailers across the Middle East.

The Arabian Business Achievement Awards were established by publishers ITP a decade ago to recognize the very best in Arab business achievements and have been won by some of the most respected companies the region. The 2011 awards attracted 900 entries in 15 categories and were judged by leading business personalities.

Dubai Duty Free’s Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin was present to accept the ‘Retail Company of the Year’ award from Walid Akawi, CEO of ITP Publishing Group.

Commenting on the ‘Retail Company of the Year’ award, Mr. McLoughlin, said:

H.h Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman Dubai Duty Free With Colm Mcloughlin

“The retail business in the Middle East is both dynamic and innovative, and given this backdrop, we are delighted to accept this award from Arabian Business.

“My thanks to the judges and the organizers of the Arabian Business Awards, and I join H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, in congratulating all of the team at Dubai Duty Free who work hard

to ensure our retailing success,” added Mr. McLoughlin.

Looking ahead in the remainder of this year, Dubai Duty Free will celebrate its 28th Anniversary. The anniversary day on 20th December will be marked with a 25% discount on a wide range of merchandise, for what has become an annual celebration for all passengers traveling through the airport. Dubai Duty Free expects to end this year with sales in excess of US$1.45 billion

The Arab Irish Journal | 67

Libya

A Land Of New Opportunities Beckons In Libya Post Revolution, Libya offers some of the most appealing investment opportunities in North Africa.

Businessman David Breen speaks about some of the biggest opportunities for Irish firms

68 | The Arab Irish Journal

Now that the dust has settled on the Revolution, Libyans are looking to a new era of prosperity and economic development.

The opportunities are substantial in a range of sectors in a country where for over forty years, most business activity could only be carried out by those close to the inner circle of the previous regime.

“It’s a fantastic time for Irish companies to be interested and get involved with Libya”, says David Breen, Managing Director of Magnum International Ltd. David Breen and his team specialise in assisting companies who are interested in operating in North Africa and the Middle East.

Magnum also advises those who were previously based in the region and who are considering re-establishing operations and who need advice on how to build relationships with the new authorities.

The company offers advice and insights across a range of areas, including background briefings, assisting business development, providing risk management, logistics and solutions in entering the market.

David Breen previously worked with leading Irish engineering firm Mercury, for over 25 years.

He was involved in many aspects of the group’s activities, including business development and

operations with a particular emphasis on the international divisions.

His unique exposure at senior level in the MENA region has enabled him to cultivate business and personal contacts with organisations and individuals at the highest levels. Mr David Breen is also a member of the Global Irish Economic Forum.

A new economic era Libya has recently witnessed some very encouraging developments, particularly on the political front.

“Doing business in developing markets is difficult at the best of times and Libya is no different”, adds David. “However, after the overthrow of the previous regime and with a newly elected government in place, improvements should be witnessed in the business and investment environments”.

The first truly free and fair elections took place on the 7th of July and were largely free of violence. They were achieved despite a very short planning and campaigning period and with parties that had very limited experience of elections, some only recently formed.

The elections have given legitimacy to the government and Ministers are expected to be

Libya

David Breen says the opportunities in Libya are substantial for companies that are willing to go out to Libya early and build relationships in these times of change.

more confident about taking decisions and allocating the country’s Multi Million Euro budget.

Funds have been earmarked for essential and emergency needs, particularly in the sectors of health, rehabilitation of the basic infrastructure and training. for example.

David Breen stresses that Libya is still one of the largest oil and gas producers in Africa and the revenue generated from these sectors will enable the country to invest in major infrastructure projects. Tenders from various ministries are currently being issued.

Many in the business community in Tripoli and Libya’s second largest city, Benghazi, are particularly interested in firms that are willing to partner and share expertise to help develop their skills and ability to compete in international markets.

Some of the main opportunities currently are focused around health, education, infrastructure and reconstruction. There is a need for example for firms able to provide rehabilitation for the injured and war-wounded, primary health care in

remote areas and training of medical staff.

Further education and training represents one of the government’s top priorities. Currently 70 to 80% of the population are employed in the public sector and training and up skilling to match private sector needs is therefore urgently needed.

The Central Bank has also stated that regulatory reforms are urgently needed and foreign expertise in this field is needed. Other opportunities also exist in accountability and transparency measures, public financial management mentoring etc.

The emphasis on a well-regulated financial services sector is a priority to encourage inward investment and both the private and public sector are well disposed to working with Irish firms.

David Breen concludes, “It is clear Libya currently provides a challenging business environment. However, if the proper procedures and resources are applied and suitable partnerships established, Libya can provide an excellent market for Irish companies”

For more information about doing business in Libya, contact: David Breen, Managing Director of Magnum International Ltd info@ magnuminternational.ie

The Arab Irish Journal | 69

Kildare Village, where

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Discover the Collection of Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages – ChicOutletShopping.com LONDON, DUBLIN, PARIS, MADRID, BARCELONA, MILAN/BOLOGNA, BRUSSELS/ANTWERP/COLOGNE, FRANKFURT, MUNICH 70 | The Arab Irish Journal

Kildare Village

Shop in Style

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

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.

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.

The Arab Irish Journal | 71

Fingal Dublin Chamber

Fingals Flying

Tony Lambert, Chief Executive, Fingal Dublin Chamber.

72 | The Arab Irish Journal

Fingal Dublin Chamber represents over three hundred and fifty businesses and is now positioned as a key driver of the future economic development of the Fingal Dublin Region working in partnership with Fingal County Council and other stakeholders.

The Chamber regularly hosts business networking events for business men and women to meet and develop business relationships which can lead to increased business opportunities. These events include: business breakfasts, economic briefing sessions, seminars, economic development conferences, and business excellence awards.

Chamber Chief Executive, Tony Lambert works closely with Chamber Members from across a wide range of size and sectors. “Many of our Members are leading multi-national companies, who have built a strong base here in the Dublin Region and together with the many strong, indigenous local companies have created a climate of growth and prosperity in recent years. The current difficult economic climate has dampened the growth but there is still a feeling of optimism for the future with exports exceeding year on year

figures.” Says Tony Lambert, Chief Executive, Fingal Dublin Chamber.

Supporting international trade is a very important part of the work of the Fingal Dublin Chamber. Exporting companies use our fast, efficient services for certificates of origin and a wide range of other documents which require certification and legalisation.

“As a large and growing percentage of these exports are destined for the Middle East it is equally important that the Chamber works closely with the Joint Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce. The JAICC provides us with excellent advice for our clients as well as ensuring that the documentation is dealt with in a timely manner.” Commented Lambert The Chamber believes in promoting greater trade between Ireland and the Middle East through supporting many companies who are only starting to export to the region with advice and practical assistance. This year we are also working with the Government of Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce with a special “Doing Business in Dubai” Business Briefing for businesses in the Greater Dublin

Fingal Dublin Chamber

As a large and growing percentage of these exports are destined for the Middle East it is equally important that the Chamber works closely with the Joint Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce Chamber to come together to represent and promote business in the Greater Dublin Region.

“This is three great Chambers working closely together to drive the business agenda for the Greater Dublin Region. We see this co-operative work growing more and more each year and will bear great fruit in the years ahead” says Lambert Fingal Dublin Chamber’s optimism for future business growth is shared by many in the Greater Dublin Region which has the young educated workforce, first class infrastructure, worldwide contacts and excellent access to continue to support continued business development for the 21st century.

Region. This event in September is run in partnership with the Greater Dublin Chamber and supported by Emirates, Aramex, DAA and Radisson Blu Hotel Dublin Airport.

Fingal Dublin Chamber is officially registered by the Department of Trade & Employment and Chambers Ireland to issue and certify export documentation such as Certificates of Origin (EU Certs & Arab-Irish Certs), invoices, company documents and additional documentation.

“The Chamber has a unique one-stop-shop service which takes care of documents from start to finish and has proved very popular with our clients” says Lambert The Chamber also provides a secure online document certification system through TradeCert. The service is currently used by exporters, shipping agents and Chambers countrywide to sign, stamp and certify trade documentation using digital signatures. The system is fast, efficient, flexible and ensures compliance and saves time.

The Greater Dublin Chamber was recently formed by Fingal Dublin Chamber, South Dublin Chamber and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

Fingal Dublin Chamber Fingal Dublin Chamber is the leading and most influential network of businesses in the Fingal Dublin Region. In the present tough economic climate, membership of the Chamber is a cost effective investment in your business. Now more than ever you need access to the people, information and resources that can help grow your business.

Members can meet potential customers by attending our workshops, breakfast presentations and networking events as well as increasing their visibility and raise their profiles by tapping into the excellent marketing and sponsorship opportunities available with the Chamber.

Membership in the Fingal Dublin Chamber pays off through exposure, value and information – three important ingredients for business success. You can count on the Chamber for: • Creating a stronger local economy • Providing excellent networking opportunities • Promoting the community • Business lobbying and leadership • Annual Chamber Members Directory • Export Documentation Service Membership of the Chamber is open to all companies and organizations interested in increasing their business in the Fingal Dublin Region. info@fingaldublinchamber.ie

The Arab Irish Journal | 73

Islamic Finance

Insight For your queries on Islamic Finance contact: Tom Woods tom.woods@kpmg.ie +353 1 410 2589 kpmg.ie/islamicfinance

© 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.

74 | The Arab Irish Journal

Islamic Finance

Islamic Banking The growth in Islamic finance, at a time when funding is limited, has brought Islamic finance as a source of financing more prominently to the fore. Many also regard the principles underpinning Islamic finance, such as the principles of risk sharing and ethical investment, as ultimately a better model for financial transactions going forward.

Ireland recognises the potential of this industry and while Ireland has a relatively small population of Muslims, it has taken a number of steps to position itself as the location of choice within the EU to facilitate Islamic finance transactions.

In looking at the steps that Ireland has taken, it is important to understand its key strengths in the financial sector. Ireland is the only English speaking member of the Eurozone and has a very well developed international financial services industry which continues to innovate and grow despite the challenges in the domestic Irish market.

Ireland’s key sectors are: Funds – Ireland is one of the main international hubs for globally distributed investment funds.

There are over 11,000 funds administered with almost €2 trillion in global assets under administration. There is no Irish tax in qualifying funds and no tax on distributions to foreign investors.

Aircraft leasing – Ireland is the preferred location to own and lease aircraft. Over half of the world’s leased aircraft (over $83bn) are leased through Ireland. Lessors can write the cost of aircraft off over 8 years. If taxable profits arise, they are taxed at 12.5% (lowest rate in OECD).

Securitisations – Ireland is a very highly regarded global centre for issuing and listing debt.

Generally all expenses in securitisation vehicles are deductible leaving negligible taxable profits.

International Banking – more than 50% of the world’s leading financial institutions are in Ireland supporting the full range of banking activities.

Under the EU Directive, Irish regulated banks can passport their activities into the EU. Profits are taxed in Ireland at 12.5%.

Ireland sees considerable growth opportunities in each of these sectors for Islamic finance. Some of the steps taken by the Irish Government to develop our Islamic finance offering are: In 2008 the Financial Regulator established a team specialising in Sharia compliant funds in order to expedite the approval process.

In 2009, the Irish tax authorities issued a tax briefing confirming that Sharia compliant funds, Ijarah transactions and Takaful arrangements were to be taxed on the same basis as comparable conventional financial products.

In 2010, the Irish tax legislation was amended to

tax Islamic banking products and sukuk issuances on the same basis as their conventional equivalent.

This included Murabaha, Diminishing Musharaka and Wakala arrangements.

The Irish Government have negotiated and concluded tax treaties with most of the countries engaged in Islamic Finance.

The Financial Regulator has also entered into a number of bilateral agreements with regulators in the Middle East.

While the changes made are still very much in their infancy, we have seen increased interest in using Ireland as a location for Islamic funds and for listing sukuk. We also have seen Shari’a compliant aircraft leasing transactions being conducted through Ireland. As the awareness of Ireland’s Islamic finance offerings grow, we would hope that Ireland will be increasingly used as an onshore location to issue sukuk and to establish Sharia compliant funds. We also hope to see Islamic finance becoming a more prominent source of finance for aircraft lessors and also for the renewable energy, pharma and technology sectors in Ireland.

When you combine Ireland’s significant strength in each of these sectors with our attractive tax regime that now also applies to Shari’a equivalent transactions, Ireland’s Islamic finance offering becomes very persuasive. The steps taken should position Ireland as the preferred EU location to drive this industry forward.

KPMG have a global Islamic financial team which the Irish practice is an active member of. We would be delighted to assist with any queries you may have on how Ireland can help you with your Islamic financial business.

Tom Woods, KPMG on Islamic Banking

The Arab Irish Journal | 75

World Energy Forum

World Energy Forum Message from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler Of Dubai

The United Arab Emirates is looking forward to welcoming the World Energy Forum 2012 which will be held in Dubai in the year designated by the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. We in the UAE greatly value this opportunity to share with the world leaders and decision makers, our vision for peace, stability and sustainable development.

In line with its 2021 Vision, The UAE has recently unveiled an ambitious initiative that lays the foundations for a green economy. This initiative underlines our country’s firm commitment to mnited Nations as the Iaintaining a sustainable environment while focusing on long-term economic growth.

As we seek to participate in leading the world in its mission towards greener economies, we in the UAE look forward to hosting the World Energy Forum 2012 in Dubai this October.

So join us in this call to action for the sustainable development of all nations of the world.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai

76 | The Arab Irish Journal

Message from the Chairman

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Colleagues, and Friends!

I am very pleased to announce that World Energy Forum 2012 will be held on October 22-24 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, and hosted by the Government of Dubai. It is my distinctive honor to invite you to participate in this High-Level International Conference, where we will explore with you the roadmap towards a cleaner, safer, and sustainable global energy system that can benefit all nations and peoples.

The United Nations recognizes that having access to sustainable energy is a paramount issue for all countries that are aspiring to economic and social development in order to improve the lives and destinies of their citizens. At this timely international gathering, world leaders and energy experts will come together and seek to find longterm energy solutions that will inevitably involve a variety of energy mixes as well as innovative technologies, but that will also require a clear vision, courage and political will to bring about the change in the world.

Being a part of World Energy Forum 2012 will be indeed a great privilege, and yet an enormous responsibility because the ideas that will be generated in Dubai can positively impact the lives and future of hundreds of millions of people on our planet, especially those who are energy impoverished throughout the world.

We hope that you will join us in this global undertaking and discussion.

With best regards, Dr. Harold Hyun-Suk Oh Chairman, World Energy Forum

The Arab Irish Journal News

News Irish company celebrates 35 years of operations in Bahrain The Minister for Energy in Bahrain recently acknowledged the contribution of ESB International in supporting the development of the electricity sector in Bahrain at an event to mark the company’s 35th anniversary in the Kingdom.

Originally entering the market in 1976, ESBI is now one of the most highly regarded Irish companies operating in Bahrain and across the Middle East. It has played a key role in the development of the electricity sector in the region, managing major projects on behalf of Government and private sector clients to support massive increases in electricity demand.

ESBI is currently working on the largest ever transmission project to be undertaken in Bahrain, which involves the management of over twenty contractors to deliver over forty substations and 1300km of underground high

voltage cable.

ESBI is also working on projects in Saudi Arabia and Oman, and has recently appointed Liam Walsh as Business Development Manager for the region.

Recruitment specialists KCM Recruitment Ltd is a privately owned Irish company established by Industry qualified construction professionals offering an honourable and hardworking approach to human resource solutions within the construction and engineering industries.

Established in 2004 KCM have developed successful working relationships with clients on 5 continents sourcing candidates from in excess of 30 different nationalities.

A significant portion of our business is in the MENA region where we have recruited senior construction and engineering professional for projects in KSA, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt and Libya.

We work with Consultants, Contractors and Project Owners on a wide variety of sectors including Rail, Commercial and Residential Build, Power, Mining, Oil and Gas and Heavy Civil engineering.

At KCM we offer a range of services to our clients including senior executive headhunting, contingency recruitment and CV screening. At

78 | The Arab Irish Journal

Pictured at the 35th anniversary of ESBI’s operations in Bahrain in 2011 are Liam Walsh, ESBI’s Business Development Manager for the Middle East and Dr. Abdul-Hussain Bin Ali Mirza, Minister for Energy, Bahrain.

Appointment

major part of our business is Bulk recruitment where we manage large scale recruiting campaigns, selecting candidates for clients with multiple requirements At KCM all our recruitment staff is qualified construction professionals having obtained significant practical knowledge before developing careers in recruitment. We believe this policy combined with a strong honest work ethic has given KCM a considerable advantage over its competitors and is the cornerstone of our success.

KCM are proud to be members of the Joint Arab Irish Chamber of commerce.

If you would like to speak to one of the Directors of the company please email info@ kcmrecruitment.ie or call 0035314586006.

Enterprise-Ireland has appointed Paul Kenny as its Start-up Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa, Paul Kenny moved to the Middle East in late 2007 from Galway.

He worked for many of the most recognised companies in the region including Jumeirah and Emirates Group. He subsequently set up Cobone.com one of the largest –E-Commerce websites in the Middle East and North Africa. Paul is an avid entrepreneur and a mentor to numerous companies in the region, as part of its strategy to promote Ireland’s offering and encourage overseas entrepreneurs to locate start-up businesses in Ireland.

This follows on from the appointment of Dylan Collins for the UK market last year, and further appointments of start-up Ambassadors in key markets such as the US and China are planned for the coming year.

To find out more about the International Start-Up Fund and Ireland as a location for your business visit: www.startinireland.com Paul Kenny, tel: +971 - 509227232

Associated Marketing Looking to accelerate your export sales growth?

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The Arab Irish Journal News

Core Recruitment Core Personnel Services are specialists in human resource consulting and recruitment. We have an excellent track record in providing effective staffing solutions for employers and jobseekers throughout Ireland, UK and the Middle East. We work across all industry sectors and recruit at all levels from Executive, Senior and Middle management professionals. Aidan Dooley, a Principle at Core has worked in Saudi Arabia with the Almarai Company for over 14 years. We have an associated office in Riyadh and are currently looking at developing a UAE presence within the next number of months. Our priority is to achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction and we will continue to develop our processes and procedures in order to attract the highest quality candidates.

We will aim to provide you with real value – excellent service in a cost-effective package where candidates will be fully briefed and selected against defined criteria. Recruiting the right people is always difficult, but working with us will make the process easier.

6B Sycamore House, Millennium Park, Naas, Co. Kildare Main Tel: 00 353 45 854110 Email aidan@corepersonnel.ie

Qatar to develop 1,400 farms in the Gulf state Qatar is planning to develop 1,400 farms in the Gulf state as part of plans to improve food security issues. Fahd bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, chief executive of Qatar National Food Security Programme (NFSP), said the farms would be helped through the introduction of technology in production processes or the training of labour. Al Attiyah said the programme will develop those farms to become more able to meet Qatar’s food needs. He added that a legislative framework would be set up to “support, revitalise and develop this sector” in terms of research, education, marketing.

The plan will be completed by 2014, he said. He confirmed in comments published by Qatar News Agency that Qatar is working to prepare a comprehensive plan that also includes water security. He said that water must been provided sustainably, which meant that desalination plants should rely on renewable energy such as solar energy.

Qatar has one of the highest rates of world consumption of water. The Qatar National Programme for Food Security was established in 2008 as an initiative by heir apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. QNFSP’s objective is to develop a sustainable food security policy for Qatar by increasing and enhancing domestic agricultural production, and strengthening the reliability of food imports from abroad.

80 | The Arab Irish Journal

Irish chocolate giant Butlers signs a franchise agreement to open outlets in the UAE. The deal between Prime Hospitality and Butlers Chocolates, the manufacturer that owns and operates Butlers Chocolate Cafés in Ireland and England, will see the first shops opening by the third quarter of this year.

The company also hinted that the UAE stores might be the first step in an expansion plan across the Gulf region.

Owen Sorensen, of Butlers Chocolates, said in a statement: “The UAE has always been a market of immense interest to us. We have been carefully looking for a local partner with a successful track record and high reputation to represent our brand.

“Prime Hospitality was the ideal choice for us with their expertise, quality, and network to maximise the success of Butlers Chocolate Cafés in the UAE, and potentially the region.”

Nawwaf Ghobash, managing partner of Prime Hospitality, added: “We are very proud to represent pioneers in the confectionery - based concepts to establish their presence in the UAE through us.

“This milestone comes as part of our strategy to expand the portfolio of Prime Hospitality, and we are looking forward to the launch of the first Butlers Chocolate Café in the region.”

Prime Hospitality is the food and beverage arm of Ghobash Trading and Investment group, which has interests in retail and hospitality, oil and gas, real estate, healthcare and information technology.

Butlers Chocolates is Ireland’s leading independent chocolate producer. The company, owned by the Sorensen family, is celebrating 80 years in business this year. Butlers Chocolates are exported all over the world and are available in over 40 countries.

Butlers Chocolate Café is an award winning concept that was conceived in Dublin in 1998. Today, its network includes 23 cafés located in Ireland, the UK, New Zealand and Pakistan.

James Curley invited to speak to Irish Qatari Business Council In recognition of the importance of the growth of Jones Engineering throughout the GCC, and in his role as Group Director with particular responsibility for Qatar, James Curley recently attended and was invited to speak a meeting of the Irish Qatari Business Council (IQBC) at the Intercontinental Hotel in Doha. The IQBC seeks to promote business and trade between Irish and Qatari entities utilising the networks already established by the Irish expatriate population in Qatar. Jones Engineering recognises the work and importance of such business networks, and as such is keen to play an active role in the IQBC.

The Arab Irish Journal News

Arabian Ranches Golf Club launches Ladies Winter Group Golf Coaching 2012-13 Arabian Ranches Golf Club (ARGC), located in the heart of Arabian Ranches and a key leisure asset of Emaar Hospitality Group, has launched their popular Ladies Group Coaching Programme for the winter season with classes commencing in October.

The group coaching offers the perfect environment to gain confidence and master golf skills. The current UAE PGA Professional Champion Malcolm Young will lead the programme supported by academy professionals Colin Cunningham and Paul Hubner.

Registration for the classes begins on September 1.

The Ladies Coaching programme is aimed at beginners and includes advice on equipment, a dedicated rules session and progressive learning of the varied skills required for playing on the course which can be gained on the Par 3 facility. Three terms are also available during the season for intermediate levels.

Elliott Gray, General Manager, Arabian Ranches Golf Club, said: “At Arabian Ranches Golf Club, we aim to create an all round experience for Golf. Alongside our successful coaching programmes, we have hosted also Ladies Golf Social events, which was very popular last season and an aspect we feel is just as much part of the programme as learning to play the sport.”

Arabian Ranches Golf Club features an 18-hole, par 72, desert style grass course designed by Ian Baker-Finch in association with Nicklaus Design. The course has a unique character offered by indigenous shrubs and bushes.

Subscriptions for the Beginner Term 1 are available for AED 975 for a nine-week course. The Intermediate course, six-week course is available for AED 675.

For more details please visit www.arabianranchesgolfdubai.com or call Golf Reservations on 04 3663000.

Kentech Abu Dhabi signs contract with Al Jaber Kentech International Limited Abu Dhabi is very pleased to announce the signing of our first contract with Al Jaber in the UAE. The contract is with Al Jaber Energy Services (AJES) and covers the installation of 33kV and Fibreoptic cabling systems on the Gasco Ruwais Sulphur Handling Terminal Project.

AJES is a 100% subsidiary of Al Jaber Group, one of the largest companies in the Middle East. Today, AJES and Al Jaber Group employ in excess of 51,000 people of which over 10,000 are fully dedicated to AJES projects in the Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Pipelines, Water, Power, Industrial and Infrastructure sectors.

Shane Donnachie, Vice President of Business Development for Kentech, welcomed the award “Although Kentech has previously worked for Al Jaber in Qatar, this contract represents our first order from Al Jaber in the UAE. AJES is a significant force in the Abu Dhabi Oil & Gas sector and we are very pleased that we have been selected for these works”.

For the second year in a row, Turkish Airlines is named Europe’s Best Airline at Skytrax World Airline Awards Turkish Airlines scored a resounding success at the 2012 World Airline Awards, with air travellers voting the airline as the Best Airline in Europe, the second year running Turkish Airlines has walked away with this coveted award. Turkish Airline also wons the Awards for the Best Airline in Southern Europe and the Best Airline Premium Economy Seat Turkish Airlines President and CEO, Dr Temel Kotil commented: “We have always held our staff to the highest of standards to ensure we are delivering a superior product and unparalleled service to our customers. Winning this award from Skytrax on behalf of the traveling public is an honor and serves as proof that our efforts have paid off.”

Pownall and Hampson

Irish Firm wins Carpet Contract

Pownall and Hampson is a family-run business established in the early 1930’s

by Thomas Stevenson, father of Chairman Trevor and grandfather of Managing Director Gary Stevenson. Pownall & Hampson has consistenly delivered excellent quality, great value and a customer-focussed service. Their bedding manufacturing facility is based in Coolock, Dublin and here we manufacture our own bedding brands which include Bedroom Couture, Neuhaus and Medibed.

These products are associated with quality and value throughout Ireland , The U.K and The UAE. P&H also manufacture some of the best recognised bedding brands for their clients and these include Dunlopillo, Foxford and Arnotts Karla Bree Collection.

Their expertise in production and in sales & marketing is second to none in the industry and they look forward to driving growth in the business in the future - with the support of their loyal and valued customers.

Contact Gary Stevenson Phone: +353 1 847 7311

Irish firm Ulster Carpets has secured a contract to supply more than 11,000 sq m of carpet to the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai as part of the hotel’s first refurbishment. Ulster Carpets manufactured and supplied Axminster Carpet to the Burj Al Arab, part of the Jumeirah Group, during its initial construction 12 years ago for all the guest corridors and guest suites.

Now during its first phase of refurbishment, they have manufactured a further 11,775 sq m of Axminster Carpet for the guest suites at their design and manufacturing facility in Portadown, Northern Ireland.

The luxury carpet will be supplied through and installed by MTE Middle East, Ulster Carpets said in a statement.

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Motor Sport

Rallying Around Irish rally driving has become very popular in Ireland in recent times and the sport attracts thousands of spectators to each event.

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The sport itself was founded in the 1950’s however has only become popular in recent times. With nineteen championships being run each year it’s enough to keep the most passionate of motor sporting fans satisfied. From tarmac to forestry across the country the Irish rally scene gives plenty of thrills and spills throughout the season, however there are events which run throughout the year.

To enter into the national rally championship is quite difficult as this is a season long event and you would be competing with larger teams which big sponsors backing them. However should you be lucky enough to get a large sponsor the national championship is a very hotly contests prize with all drivers giving there all.

For those of us however who would love the thrill of rallying without the season long commitment there are other options. Such is the popularity of the sport in Ireland there are more and more rally schools also know as rally driving experience popping up where you can simply turn up, paid your hard earned money and drive a fully kitted out and ready to go rally car. This is extremely enjoyable and a great day out with none of the hassle of having to prepare your own car.

Maybe on the other hand you are a bit of a petrol head and would like to be a bit more involved? well

By Jay McCarthy

there isn’t that much to it. Rally cars start their life as an ordinary saloon family car. There is a bit of work to be done and it can be costly depending on how competitive you wish to be. One of the first things to change is the suspension set up in the car to cope with the rough terrain of rally driving, secondly wheels and tyres as standards ones just won’t cut it.

A lot of people look to either super charge or turbo charge the engine also known as forced induction.

A supercharger is belt driving and can deliver power almost immediately but can be expensive. A turbocharger on the other hand is not as expensive but whereas the supercharger is belt driving the turbocharger gets its power from the exhaust stream. This means your exhaust will run through the turbine which in turn spins the compressor but there is a downside to this in the sense that a turbo charger will work better at high rpm but a supercharger works well straight from the off. But remember whatever option you decide both will need upgraded cooling whether be top mount made famous by the Subaru Impreza or the more common front mounted intercooler used by the Mitsubishi Evolution. There is also a requirement to fit a roll cage to the car and fire extinguisher for safety reasons. There is a specific type of seat also, this seat is known as a bucket seat because of the way you

Motor Sport

sit in it but they are a requirement to support a must have safety harness rather than the conventional seat belt. Also it is not a requirement but more of a smart thinking move, weight reduction. This is a simply enough job whereby anything not being used remove i.e. rear seats, door panels and carpets. Once your car is ready you will need to kit yourself out, the requirements are a flameproof overalls, flame proof gloves, balaclava, socks, boots and finally a helmet with intercom.

Ok so both your car and you are fully kitted out but are still not sure if you are eligible. Well you need to obtain a rally category B driving license and an insurance letter from Irish Rally Drivers Scheme(IRDS). To apply you must be 17 years of age or over, have a complete medical and hold a full B category driving license. And finally the last requirement is that your rally car must not exceed 1650cc. Once you have completed four events you receive your rally category A license and are free to drive any car you wish. The cost to enter events differ as some events are one day and others are two day. The cost for a one day event is 410euro and the cost for a two day event is 550euro.

Should rallying not be your kind of motorsport however or you are more of a track person then there are plenty of options out there. Track days are becoming more popular and have far fewer regulations than rallying. There is no need to modify your car in any way, you only need a helmet and full B category driving license and away you go. There is also the option to drive exotic cars for the day, this

includes driving the likes of Ferraris and Porsches in a controlled environment.

Another very popular motorsport in Ireland in recent times is drift motor sport, this is a form of motorsport set on a track and the objective is to power slide your car around corners getting points for the speed of your slide, length and how close you get to obstacles. This like rallying and track racing is a high adrenalin sport that really tests your car control and bravery. There are drifting schools in Ireland which have become very popular and Irish drifters have gone on to compete in world championships around the globe.

Ireland and the Irish people have always had a love for motorsport in all its wonderful forms from formula 1 to world rallying right through to national events. And with more and more opportunities to experience these events up close the love for the sports will continue to grow. So whether you just wish to experience a day’s adrenalin through the many driving experiences on offer or be a bit more hands on and compete, I’m sure there is something for everyone to enjoy.

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Art & Culture

Arabian Nights Eastern Lights Swiss – Irish painter Claudio Viscardi’s exhibition at the Dubai Ladies Club this coming October Arabian Nights, Eastern Lights comprises of twenty mostly large scale canvases which engross the observer in the artist’s poetic and individualistic world.

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His multi-layered compositions of infinite depth, combine complex architectural and geometric structures with elements of textured landscape which draw the viewer into an interpretive journey , rich with mythological reference and multifaceted pathways of contemplation. The narrative structure of the paintings engages at all times with the sensibilities of the observer and thus the artist’s journey becomes a personalised dialogue with the viewer. The subtle juxtapositioning of colour fields reveals the landscape in gradual detail, which creates a momentum towards the centre of the work, enhancing the three dimensional quality of the artist’s perspective. His re-occurring themes of day and night revolve around the monumental status of nature itself and the clear night skies reveal a vast and contemplative space. The artist explores the concept of renewal and infinity through an intimate analysis of landscape, architecture, geometry, classical reference and narrative motifs.

Born in Switzerland in 1955, Claudio, a dual Irish – Swiss citizen, lives and works on the

Art & Culture

Beara Peninsula in the south – west of Ireland.

Clearly inspired by its breathtaking landscape, his works universalize nature and interpret its effects as a microcosm of all nature. Claudio can trace his artistic heritage back to before the 1700s and an ancestry steeped in art and architecture, many with prominent representation at the courts of Europe.

A period of fresco restoration early in his development greatly influenced his work, in particular in relation to technique and to working on large-scale wall paintings and murals, of which he has many to his credit. He has previously lived in Rome, Amsterdam, Dublin and Zurich and continues to exhibit his works internationally.

His style is instantly recognisable and he has, irrelevant of trends, remained true to the pursuit of personal artistic ideals.

Claudio Viscardi’s palette reflects his lifelong research of the techniques used by the Old Masters and by the Italian Renaissance painters in particular. He has developed a semi-fresco technique adapted for his canvas work, yet similarly versatile for his large scale mural work. The purity of the colours is retained as he mixes his own paints using rare and natural pigments, interspersed with diamond dust and crystals. 24 - carat gold leaf appears throughout the collection, applied in fascinating contexts to fantasy architectural structures or to naturalistic swathes of expression, where nature’s shimmer or night-time glow are captured in deft and knowing technique. Lapis Lazuli, Carrara marble, Malachite, Pompei Red, Chinese Vermillion, to name but a few, infuse the works with an originality of palette indicative of the artist. Viscardi’s canvas works capture the large-scale dynamic of his wall paintings and murals, while these in turn enjoy the minutia and attention to detail of his paintings on canvas.

The artist’s early works of the late 1970s and early 1980s evoke what was a childhood fascination

Creek/Falcon’s Flight

with the tales of the Thousand and One Nights, with the intricate inner life of these early paintings clearly resonating with the imaginative scope of the tales themselves. The game of skill as exercised

by Shahrazad, while it could capture a boyhood imagination, perhaps shows how imagination itself is a limitless resource, none more so than the gifted imagination of artist Claudio Viscardi. His current collection of paintings draws on these early influences, transcending the passage of time and unites the timeless realms of the imagination with the artistic desire to depict it. In this way, a life – long narrative comes full circle, its language enriched with experience and time itself. Viscardi’s poetic, visionary and powerful works draw the observer into a truly extraordinary world and his paintings are sought after by collectors worldwide. Exhibiting for the first time in Dubai, his exhibition Arabian Nights, Eastern Lights at the Dubai Ladies Club will continue until the end of October. Look out for the artist’s talks, the dates of which will be announced nearer the time.

Art Consultant Louise Adelstrand (louiseadelconsulting.com) Presents Arabian Nights – Eastern Lights an Exhibition by Claudio Viscardi at the Funoon Gallery, The Arts Centre, Dubai Ladies Club, Jumeirah, Dubai October 2012 www.claudioviscardi.net

The Arab Irish Journal | 85

Book Review

THE STOLEN VILLAGE BALTIMORE AND THE BARBARY PIRATES

Written by Des Ekin. Published by O’Brien Press ltd.

They say that it is important in life to have a sense of history about yourself, from your ancestors, your locality, and your country.

This should thus enable you to have a better perspective on life, and how you and your fellow countrymen relate to the rest of the world.

“The Stolen Village” is a must read for anyone who aspires to this noble though. It reveals a past relationship between our Seafaring folk along the southwest and west coast of Ireland and their Arab counterparts from the Barbary Coast. The Barbary Coast is the region of North Africa on the Mediterranean coast between Egypt and the Atlantic coast, which would include present day Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.

The southwest and west coasts of Ireland were known to be safe havens for the Barbary pirates. They used certain ports for trade, rest and recreation, and the restocking of provisions 86 | The Arab Irish Journal

whilst also avoiding the British, Spanish, French, and Dutch naval forces, of that time, particularly during the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries.

This book is a thoroughly enjoyable and educational read. Whilst focusing on the lives of those that were taken into captivity by the pirates, it also paints a vivid picture of life at that time.

Whilst Baltimore was the stronghold of the O’Driscoll clan at that time, they were known pirates themselves, having raided other ports along the south coast of Ireland. It is said that Waterford our oldest city and once our most important port was a regular target of the O’Driscolls.

Is it a coincidence that the O’Driscoll family crest and the Waterford city crest are identical? That aside this superbly researched and written book flows freely from beginning to end, and will command your attention once you start reading it. Do yourself a favour and read it, you will be enthralled.

Des Ekin

Art & Culture

Glass Fusion From casting his nets to casting and fusing glass, Eoin Turner’s commissioned art works are a fusion of the classic and the sophisticated and embody his unique bond with nature and his raw, evolving talent.

The Irishman’s classic design and technological skills are a striking, distinctive blend of practicality and creativity that have seen him grow his repertoire from working with glass for architectural applications to creating bespoke installations which are stunning his A-list domestic, corporate and marine clientele.

Using advances in metal plating, Eoin has been able to incorporate larger areas of precious metal plating into architectural panels, making the previously impossible possible and with breathtaking results that have catapulted him into the international spotlight.

Eoin Turner’s creative roots were cultivated in his native Cork where he studied Fine Art, specialising in both painting and sculpture in the city’s Crawford College of Art and Design.

He then followed his father and brother in a long-established family tradition and embarked on a life at sea, spending 10 years as a fisherman, mostly working out of Castletownbere on the stunning and inspiring south West coast of Ireland. It was a workplace which gave him a deep understanding of the sea and passion to reflect it in his creative works.

In the late ‘90s he followed his dream and moved to the South of France where he spent time working in the luxury yacht industry. Upon returning to Ireland, Eoin and his partner, painter Lorraine Mullins, set up a glass studio specialising in casting and fusing glass for architectural

Bowl blue

Caviar Bowl with Diamonds and Pearls

applications. Each unique piece in his collection has an echo of earlier paintings and sculptures.

The pieces made from cast glass and formed metal combine to create a subtle and at the same time rugged and defined form.

The distinctive hallmark of Eoin’s work continues to be his creative blend of luxurious colours tempered with precious detail which is at once utterly contemporary while managing to retain a classical sophistication.

Contact Eoin Turner at Unit 5, New Sunbeam Industrial Est, Blackpool, Cork City, Ireland.

Occas-tillage (Across from Sea Design) 6,av Tournelli, 06600 Antibes, France. m: 00353-86-3818561. e: info@turnerglass.com

The Arab Irish Journal | 87

Welcome to the Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers - Dubai The Bonnington Hotel Dubai is located in the heart of Jumeirah Lakes Towers along Sheikh Zayed Road, just opposite Dubai Marina and in walking distance of Jumeirah Lakes Towers metro station. It is a 5-star hotel with 208 luxurious rooms and suites (all non-smoking), 272 deluxe serviced hotel apartments, 5 restaurants and bars, 4 conference suites and a recent addition to the portfolio – The ALMAS CONFERENCE CENTRE - Managed by Bonnington.

This is a 450sqm multi-functional conference facility with the capacity to host 550 guests. The hotel also boasts a Leisure Deck on the 11th floor with infinity pool, state of the art gym, pool bar, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna as well as a hairdressing salon for ladies.

The hotel also offers Business Club rooms & suites, an attended business centre and 4 conference rooms all featuring a variety of facilities and services to make corporate life easy!

Enjoy the luxurious surroundings, outstanding facilities and traditional Bonnington hospitality in an ideal location. We also provide shuttle services to the airport, all main shopping malls, and to Jumeirah Beach Residence.

Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Cluster J, P.O. Box 37246, Dubai, U.A.E, WWW.BONNINGTONTOWER.COM

88 | Phone: The Arab Irish Journal +971 4 3560000, Fax: +971 4 3560400, E-mail: reservations@bonningtontower.com

Hotel Review

Bonnington Towers Looking for traditional European-style hospitality amidst the fast growing business districts of New Dubai?

Well, you don’t have to look any further, whether it’s for business or pleasure, you’ll feel right at home at the Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers.

Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers Cluster J, P.O. Box 37246, Dubai, U.A.E. www.bonningtontower.com

The Bonnington is located on Sheikh Zayed Road, opposite Dubai Marina and within walking distance of JLT Metro Station, less than 30 minutes away from Dubai International Airport and only a short 40 minutes drive from Abu Dhabi. The hotel offers a wide array of luxurious rooms, suites, and serviced residences, 5 restaurants and bars, 4 conference rooms, a unique Leisure Deck with infinity pool, state of the art gym, saunas, steam rooms, pool bar, and a hairdressing salon for ladies. The Bonnington provides a chic 5 star residential address for all who walk through her doors.

Choose from the selection of restaurants and bars available at the Bonnington, from the casual atmosphere of the award winning McGettigan’s Irish Pub, to Healey’s Bar and Terrace, a stylish cocktail & wine bar. Guests can sample imaginative fine-dining in the internationally renowned Cavendish.

For every executive traveler’s needs, the Bonnington Business Club Lounge provides a setting where corporate life is made easy. From wireless internet access to hi-tech meeting rooms and a dedicated business centre, the Bonnington Business Club is simply unparalleled. Three floors of Business Club rooms & suites are ready to welcome executive travelers. Guests staying in these rooms will benefit from a wealth of valueadded services, e.g. complimentary airport pick-up, free wireless Internet, and access to the Bonnington Business Club Lounge. The lounge offers all day complimentary tea, coffee, and soft drinks, as well

as pre-dinner cocktails and canapés.

The Bonnington offers five-star luxury that is truly individual. As it is not part of a large international hotel chain, guests and visitors will always benefit from the family atmosphere during their stay. Yet, as the Bonnington is part of Worldhotels’ Deluxe Collection, guests are assured international standards and quality.

The Bonnington was recently awarded not just one, but two TripAdvisor Choice Awards and TripAdvisor users rank the Hotel amongst the 25 best luxury hotels in the Middle East and the 25 trendiest hotels in the region.

If you’re looking for a large and unique space to host your events in Dubai this year- look no further!

The Bonnington now manages Almas Conference Centre, a place where sophisticated meeting room facilities meet world class luxury. The facility is a large, purpose-built, conference centre and ballroom which is located adjacent to the Hotel. The conference centre can accommodate up to 300 guests for a gala dinner or black tie event in its grand ballroom or up to 30 for a cocktail party in the spectacular diamond pinnacle venue - an all glass structure complete with stunning views of the surrounding lake.

Avail of a full bar service and extensive menu options, all especially designed by their chefs using only the finest food and freshest ingredients. It doesn’t end there, if you are looking for something truly spectacular why not create a party to remember, their ballroom can be decorated to your requirements upon request!

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Irish societies

Irish Communities in the Gulf There is a strong Irish community in the Gulf countries with Irish societies and GAA clubs active in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

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Many of these countries also have “Irish Buisness Network” organizations with the aims of promoting Buisness and trade between their countries and Ireland. The most recent of these to start is the “Qatari Irish Buisness Network” which held its first gathering in March 2012.We take this opportunity to thank them all for their ongoing good works in promoting IRELAND INC, in their countries of residence.In many ways they are our finest Ambassadors and should be recognized accordingly.They are often the first port of call for ex-pats who are new to the relevant countries,or in some cases even before ex-pats take up employment.This is well recognised by our actual Ambassadors to the region, H.E. Ciaran Madden, Irish Ambassador to the U.A.E, H.E. Dr Niall Holohan Irish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and Her Excellency Isolde Moylan, Irish Ambassador to Egypt.

The Ambassadors are very pro-active in supporting these organisations, and often will act as patrons to the Buisness Network Groups, and attend meetings when time allows from their busy schedules.

Bahrain The Bahrain Irish Society was founded in 1975 and is celebrating its 35th Anniversary this year. Over the last 35 years the Society has taken an active approach in contributing to local Bahraini charities, organising events promoting our culture & working in partnership with the community of Bahrain. The Society works very closely with the Arabian Celts Gaelic Football Club which was founded in 2008, promoting our national games and also with the Bahrain Irish Business Network promoting Irish Business & partnerships here on the island.

Website: www.bahrainirishsociety.com The Arabian Celts can be contacted at; pro.arabiancelts.asia@gaa.ie

Irish societies

Kuwait The Kuwait Irish Society is now entering its 20th year of being established in Kuwait.

The Society is a not-for-profit organisation that is open to everybody with a connection or interest in Ireland. The Society holds a number of events throughout the year including the St Patrick’s Day ball and they also host a number of events specifically for children.

Email: irishsociety98@hotmail.com

Oman The Irish Society in Oman holds social events throughout the year including the annual St Patrick’s Day Ball.

Email: irishinoman@hotmail.com The Muscat Magpies GAA and Australian Football Club has its origins in the Clann na hOman Gaelic Football team which was founded in March 2003. Training takes place at Muscat Rugby Club every Sunday & Tuesday. Muscat began entering a team in the Aussie Rules 9’s tournament in Dubai in 2007, and from 2008 the Australian game began to grow in popularity and evolved into a new playing arm of the club - The Muscat Magpies. One team, two games! No comprimise here, just the best of both sides of the planet.

Website: www.muscatmagpies.com Email: mgaafc@gmail.com The Irish Business Network in Oman provides a platform for members to network with each other. It allows for the regular exchange of trends and ideas from different industry categories, for making business connections and often times finding employment opportunities.

The Group consists of a broad spectrum of people such as: Irish people working in Oman; Employees of Irish companies based in the Oman; and Individuals who are interested in developing business links with Ireland. Networking events are held every few months at various locations.

Email: oman_ibn@yahoo.co.uk

Qatar The Irish Society in Qatar holds events throughout the year including the annual St Patrick’s Day Ball and a children’s Christmas Party.

Email: qataririshsociety@yahoo.com Qatar GAA,(Oryx na hEireann) based in Doha was founded in 2004, and continues to flourish, Contact; pro.qatar.asia@gaa.ie The Irish Qatari Business Council (IQBC) Purpose: To promote business and trade between Irish and Qatari entities Focus: Introductions - Referrals Marketing opportunities - Networking opportunities - Business intelligence Presenters during the last four IQBC networking events · RasGas Group Finance Manager – Tom McHale · H.E. the Ambassador - Ciarán Madden · ex RTE Prime Time presenter – Mark Little · Chairman of the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs & Trade Committee – Pat Breen T.D. · H.E. the Ambassador - Gerard Corr Event sponsors · Vodafone Qatar · Byrne Looby Partners, Engineering Consultants · Mercury Engineering · Target Rotary Committee:

Attendees of the first IQBC meeting, March 2012 Doha

· Chairman - Conor Tubridy (Habtoor Leighton Group) · Vice-Chairman - Simon Kennedy · Treasurer - John Bradley (Ernst & Young) · Secretary - Julie Dockery · Events Secretary - Rachel Kouyoumdjis (Byrne Looby Partners) · Committee Member - Eamon Sweetman (Mercury Engineering) · Honorary Committee Member - H.E. Ciarán Madden - Ambassador of Ireland Attendees at the last IQBC events: · An average of 60 attendees per event · Key takeaways from the events: · Strong and weak network ties with both Irish and non-Irish individuals · Better understanding of the importance the Irish diaspora can play in Ireland’s economic recovery and how to benefit from and support the diaspora · Tips on succeeding in the Qatari market · Business intelligence · … and ofcourse a number of raffle prizes for the lucky winners IQBC next event: · September 2012 (Date tbc) To be added to the mailing list please email events@iqbc.org Website: www.iqbc.org LinkedIn: Irish Qatari Business Council

The Arab Irish Journal | 91

Irish societies

Saudi Arabia The Riyadh Irish Society was formed towards the end of 2006. Our goal is to help promote Ireland and its culture, while also providing some entertainment for the Irish community living in Riyadh. We support a number of charities based here in Riyadh and at home in Ireland. RIS currently has a membership of close to 300 made up of families and singles - and demand is growing as more people come back to KSA. Email: riyadhirishsociety@yahoo.co.uk.

Naomh Alee GAA club based out of Riyadh was founded in 1994 and can be contacted at; pro.riyadh. asia@gaa.ie

including the St Patrick’s Day Ball, Golf Outings, Kids events, family events and much more.

Website: www.irishsocietyabudhabi.com Email: adirishsociety@gmail.com Abu Dhabi Na Fianna is one of the biggest and longest established sports clubs in the Gulf region and has been in existence since 1994. The historic first ever match played by Na Fianna was a hurling game against a combined Al Ain\Northern Emirates team in Al Ain in April 1995. The club expanded and Na Fianna played their first ever competitive matches in both hurling and football when the UAE championship started in Dubai in 1996. Since then the club has expanded every year: a ladies team was established in 1999 and a junior team followed in 2004.

Website: http://abudhabinafianna.com

United Arab Al Ain Emirates The Abu Dhabi Irish Society was founded in 1975.

It has expanded since then and now has over 300 members. Its main aim is the promotion of Irish social and sporting activities and the fostering of good relations with other communities in Abu Dhabi. The society is proud that the membership includes not only Irish, but also people of different nationalities and this has greatly contributed to the success of the society down the years. The society organises a number of events throughout the year

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The Al Ain Irish Society and GAA club operate as one organization and have grown from strength to strength since first established in November 2009.

The Society and Club strive to provide a focus for social contact for people with an Irish background or an interest in Irish culture. The Society and Club organize events in Al Ain throughout the year.

Website:www.facebook.com/alainirishsociety or www.facebook.com/alainingaa Email: alainirishsociety@gmail.com (for Society) and alaingaa@gmail.com (for club)

Irish societies

Dubai The Dubai Irish Society has been active since 1974 and continues to actively serve the Irish community in Dubai. The aim of the DIS is to provide a social platform for the Irish living and working in Dubai.

An array of events is organised throughout the year which offers its members the opportunity to celebrate their culture, heritage, traditions, and above all have fun while keeping that bond to home.

The St. Patrick’s Day Ball and The Rose Ball are certainly recognised as social calendar events of the year in addition to a range of smaller socials such as quiz nights, Ceili’s and the children’s unique ‘Santa in the Desert’ experience.

Website: www.irishsocietydubai.com Email: mail@irishsocietydubai.com The Dubai Celts first took to the field at the Bahrain Tournament in the 1995/96 Season. The Celts have grown significantly since and now have teams at all ages. Over one quarter of all members originate from beyond the shores of Ireland.

Website: www.dubaicelts.com The Irish Business Network (IBN) in Dubai first convened on 10 February 2010. Since then the

IBN has gone from strength to strength and has a regular schedule of events, both networking and sector specific. The Irish Business Network (IBN) is recognised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce as an official Business Council.

Email: irishbusinessnetworkdubai@gmail.com Sharjah Wanderers Ladies GAA club is one of the newest GAA clubs to be formed in the Emirate of Sharjah. One of two all -ladies clubs in the region, it was founded in 2009, and are already proving their class on the field of play.

Contact E-Mail:pro.sharjah.asia@gaa.ie

The Arab Irish Journal | 93

Bridging the Gulf

Dublin to Dubai Life’s a journey not a destination... says Ankur Bagga

94 | The Arab Irish Journal

My journey in Dublin began in 2003, just out of sheer luck and experience but that’s another story. My first stint in Dublin, Ireland was with Clontarf Castle hotel, an 11th century 4 star Deluxe Castle Hotel, a stalwart in the industry at the time and still. I started off there as a senior bartender eager to learn and grow.

Before I knew it I had made Dublin my second home, with friends like brothers in arms (you know who you are) and I had made Clontarf Castle my learning and career ground. I grew out of my bartender role in a couple of years and was awarded the opportunity to try my knowledge, skills and attitude in the field of Concierge. That was my moment of truth, my calling. I fit into the role like a duck to water and within a couple of years was awarded the prestigious Golden Keys of Les Clefs d’Or – UICH (Union Internationale d’hôtel Concierges) Dublin is a fascinating city and Ireland an amazing country with its rich culture and heritage, its breath taking landscape and a very interesting historic significance that would entice any mind to wander in the country’s glory. To top it all, Ireland is a place like no other with the friendliest people on the planet. I can tell, by the lifelong friendships I have made there; some that I met at work, some that I met in a pub, some that I met in a bus and some that I even met on my flight over to Ireland for the first time in May of 2003.

My career was at an all-time high and I had successfully made a name for myself within the industry when I successfully acquired the position of Head Concierge with Clontarf Castle Hotel and within weeks was appointed to the Executive Committee of Les Clefs d’ Or, Ireland as Asst.

Secretary. Life was good. I was networking, learning and growing as a Concierge on a daily basis.

In mid-2010, I had visited this amazing hotel, a one of its kind destination resort in Dubai, UAE during my extensive travels while I worked and lived in Ireland. I was mesmerized by the sheer size,

quality and quantity of it all. It was Atlantis The Palm, Dubai.

November 2011, at the end of my short lived entrepreneurial journey I ‘Googled’ concierge jobs(as you do) and lo and behold Atlantis The Palm, Dubai were looking for a Les Clefs d’Or Certified Chief Concierge.I had the qualifications, I had the experience, I had the golden keys and most importantly I had the ‘can do’ attitude. So armed with my CV I embarked on following my heart and my brand new dream.

7 months in Dubai and at Atlantis, I have been honoured to receive few accolades under my belt already. Recently appointed as the 2nd Vice President of Les Clefs d’Or, U.A.E – giant step from Asst. Secretary for the Irish Section and bestowed with the title of a ‘World Concierge’ representing Atlantis The Palm, Dubai and Dubai in the Concierge Program initiated by Etihad Airlines Luxury Holidays.

There is a thing about Ireland besides its glorious history and gorgeous beauty, it’s the people, the friends and predominantly the accent that stays with you for life. If I had a euro for every time I heard about my ‘Irish twang’ or ‘that’s such an Irish thing to say’ I would be taking my sacks of euros to the bank on a daily basis. I am a sponge when it comes to adapting to cultures, backgrounds and of course accents and my sponged Irish accent is here to stay with me. It has helped me in breaking the ice many a time, in Dublin and in Dubai.

It has been a very interesting and rewarding journey and one that I am forever grateful to have embarked on. I miss my family like friends that I left behind and I am thankful for everything that I have lived and experienced in Dublin, Ireland for if it was not for my time spent there my journey from Dublin to Dubai would not have been at all.

Insha Allah our paths will cross again…Slan!

Mr.Ankur Bagga Chief Concierge Atlantis The Palm Dubai and Vice President of Les Clefs d’Or, U.A.E.

Bridging the Gulf

The Arab Irish Journal | 95

Dates for your Diary 2012

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2012 Date

Event

Location

24 Sep - 26 Sep 2012

Arabian Water & Power Forum

Atlantis, The Palm

24 Sep - 26 Sep 2012

Middle East Pool & Spa Exhibition

Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Dubai

24 Sep - 26 Sep 2012

SAOGE 2012

DAMMAM

24 Sep - 27 Sep 2012

Index Exhibition

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

24 Sep - 27 Sep 2012

Inspire

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

25 Sep - 28 Sep 2012

Makinat LEBANON 2012

BIEL - Beirut

29 Sep - 6 Oct 2012

GITEX Shopper 2012

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

1 Oct - 3 Oct 2012

Light Middle East Exhibition

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

1 Oct - 3 Oct 2012

Private Label Middle East Exhibition

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

2 Oct - 4 Oct 2012

Cityscape Global

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai

2 Oct - 4 Oct 2012

Infra Oman 2012

Oman International Exhibition Centre

7 Oct - 11 Oct 2012

Chic Lady Show 2012

Halls 6 - 7 ADNEC

8 Oct - 10 Oct 2012

INTERMAT Middle East 2012

Halls 10 & 11 & Central Plaza area

8 Oct - 10 Oct 2012

Power + Water Middle East 2012

Halls 3 & 4 and Conference Room B

9 Oct - 11 Oct 2012

Seafood Expo 2012

Dubai

14 Oct - 16 Oct 2012

Abu Dhabi Medical Congress 2012

Abu Dhabi

14 Oct - 16 Oct 2012

Dentistry 2012

Hall 1 ADNEC

14 Oct - 18 Oct 2012

GITEX Technology Week 2012

Dubai International Convention And Exhibition Centre

15 Oct - 17 Oct 2012

Green Middle East 2012

Expo Centre Sharjah

15 Oct - 18 Oct 2012

Erbil International Fair 2012

Erbil International Fairground in Erbil

16 Oct - 18 Oct 2012

Diyafa Qatar

Doha Exhibition Center (DEC)

16 Oct - 18 Oct 2012

Najah Education Training Careers 2012

Halls 8 & 9 ADNEC

16 Oct - 20 Oct 2012

Jewellery Arabia

Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre (BIECC)

21 Oct - 22 Oct 2012

BETT Middle East 2012

Halls 5-6 ADNEC

21 Oct - 22 Oct 2012

Building Future Education MENA 2012

Halls 1-4 & Atrium ADNEC

22 Oct - 23 Oct 2012

MENA Mining Congress

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

5 Nov - 8 Nov 2012

PMV Live

Dubai World Trade Centre

5 Nov - 8 Nov 2012

The Big 5 Dubai

Dubai World Trade Centre

11 Nov - 14 Nov 2012

Saudi Pmv

Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center

12 Nov 2012

Construction Week Awards 2012 - Saudi Arabia

Riyadh

12 Nov - 14 Nov 2012

Halal Expo 2012

DUBAI

17 Nov - 19 Nov 2012

The Hotel Show KSA 2012

Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events , Jeddah

19 Nov - 21 Nov 2012

Gulf Traffic

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre

19 Nov - 21 Nov 2012

IPM Dubai 2012 - International Trade Fair for Plants & WOP 2012 - World of Perishables Dubai

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

19 Nov - 21 Nov 2012

National Show for Society Awareness and Humanitarian Services, Taweya 2012

Hall 1 ADNEC

19 Nov - 21 Nov 2012

Roadex/Railex 2012

Hall 8

19 Nov - 21 Nov 2012

SEAFEX

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

19 Nov - 21 Nov 2012

Sweets & Snacks Middle East - Sweet & SnackTech Middle East

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

19 Nov - 21 Nov 2012

The Speciality Food Festival

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

20 Nov - 22 Nov 2012

SME Invest Exhibition & Conference

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

21 Nov - 23 Nov 2012

Autumn Gulf Education

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

21 Nov - 24 Nov 2012

Dubai International Jewellery Week

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

25 Nov - 27 Oct 2012

Middle East Exclusive Exhibition

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

26 Nov - 28 Nov 2012

SIAL Middle East 2012

Halls 1-5 & 8-9 & Atrium + Conf Room A & B

26 Nov - 29 Nov 2012

Iraq Agro-Food 2012

Erbil International Fairground - Erbil

27 Nov - 29 Nov 2012

Clean Middle East Pulire - CMEP 2012

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

27 Nov - 29 Nov 2012

Middle East Natural and Organic Products Expo

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

27 Nov - 29 Nov 2012

Seatrade Middle East Maritime Exhibition & Conference

Dubai

2 Dec - 7 Dec 2012

Riyadh Motoshow

Riyadh Exhibition Center, Murooj Area, Olaya Street, Riyadh

4 Dec - 6 Dec 2012

Dubai Drink Technology Expo - DDTE 2012

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

4 Dec - 6 Dec 2012

Media & Marketing Show 2012

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

6 Dec - 8 Dec 2012

The Mother Baby & Child Show

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

9 Dec - 11 Dec 2012

Cityscape Riyadh

Riyadh Exhibition Centre

9 Dec - 12 Dec 2012

Saudi Infrastructure 2012

Jeddah

10 Dec - 13 Dec 2012

Baghdad International Development & Housing Exhibition

Baghdad International Fair Ground

10 Dec - 15 Dec 2012

New Look

Al Ain Convention Center, Wedding Hall, Al Khabisi, Al Ain City

12 Dec 2012

Construction Week Awards 2012 - Dubai

Dubai

13 Dec - 15 Dec 2012

Indian Property Show

Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre

17 Dec - 19 Dec 2012

UAE Building Heritage Week

Dubai

18 Dec - 20 Dec 2012

The Home Show 2012

Oman International Exhibition Centre

96 | The Arab Irish Journal

emirates.com/ie

Hello

Dubai

Welcome to the capital of tomorrow.

Fly Emirates to Dubai and connect to over 120 destinations worldwide.

The Gathering Ireland 2013 is a spectacular, year-long celebration of Ireland and all things Irish‌ And everyone's invited. Join the celebration as we invite the world to visit and enjoy our unique culture, stunning scenery, heart-lifting music, world renowned heritage sites, alongside hundreds of unique gathering events... be part of it.

More than 120 destinations worldwide. To book flights or Dubai Stopovers, contact your travel agent or visit emirates.com/ie. Discover frequent flyer benefits at skywards.com.

Issue 1 SEPT 2012 ISSN 2009-499X

Flat out

THE ARAB-IRISH JOURNAL THE ARAB-IRISH JOURNAL The official publication of the JAICC – Connecting the Connected in Ireland and THE arab states

to Abu Dhabi and beyond with the World’s Leading Airline*

The official publication of

The Joint Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce

Experience the very best in flat-bed comfort.

In our Pearl Business Class, you have all the room in the world to get comfortable. Stretch out on our award-winning 6’1” fully flat bed. Or, whenever you feel like it, order restaurant-quality cuisine from your very own Food & Beverage Manager.

Not to mention over 600 hours of entertainment on the widest screens in the sky. What’s more we’ve got 10 flights a week from Dublin to over 70 destinations. Nothing less than you deserve from the World’s Leading Airline.*

How would you like to fly with the best?

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Issue 1 2012 ISSN 2009 -499X

*2009, 2010 & 2011 World Travel Awards.

Plus... TRADE STATS FOR THE ARAB WORLD \\ ISLAMIC FINANCE \\ LOUIS MAGUIRE FOOD SAFETY \\ RCSI \\ SEA FOOD \\ IRISH EXPORTS AND MUCH MORE...