Middle East Trade Venture Provides Opportunities for Wisconsin Companies

MADISON, WI. Sept. 20, 2016 – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) will lead a global trade venture to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Doha in Qatar early next year, with a goal of connecting Wisconsin companies with potential buyers, distributors and other partners in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets.

The countries that make up the GCC—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE—are among some of the wealthiest in the world. Although much of the region’s wealth has accumulated thanks to oil and gas exports, world economic trends are forcing them to diversify their economies, and these countries are spending heavily to do so.

Top government and private-sector priorities for growth in the region include: tourism, transportation logistics, health care, bioscience, medical devices, aerospace and aviation, downstream energy processes and clean technology, education, and food processing and food security. Wisconsin companies doing business in these sectors should consider exporting into the GCC markets.

This trade venture’s goal is to connect Wisconsin companies with potential buyers, distributors and other partners in these markets. This trip is suitable for companies that are not yet exporting into these markets. In addition, companies that are already exporting into these markets can use the global trade venture to enhance their business ties in UAE and Qatar and to expand their market presence.

“A diverse exporting strategy is essential to business growth and it serves to protect companies against varying global economic conditions,” said Katy Sinnott, WEDC vice president of international business development. “Through WEDC’s global trade ventures and with the assistance of WEDC’s global network, we help provide a clear path for Wisconsin companies to grow their sales in international markets.”

The global trade venture will take place Jan. 27 to Feb. 2, 2017, and will include segments in Dubai and Doha. In each city, participating companies will be scheduled for customized business meetings with potential local partners hand-picked for their companies by Wisconsin’s authorized trade representatives in the market, based on the Wisconsin companies’ strengths, needs and preferences.

The trade venture is scheduled to coincide with the opening of the Arab Health trade show. With 4,000 exhibitors and 130,000 attendees from 163 countries, Arab Health is one of the largest medical and health-related trade shows in the world. Trade venture participants in the health care sector will have many of their meetings at the show, and will have the opportunity to check out competition from around the world. Participants in other sectors will have the option of traveling to local firms’ facilities.

Each participant in the global trade venture will also receive market intelligence specific to his or her company, detailing considerations to keep in mind when introducing the company’s product or service into these markets.

The fee for this program is $2,650, which covers market research and one-on-one appointments; pre-trip and in-country staff support; transportation between the two program cities; admission to Arab Health for attending companies; group transportation between airport and hotel in each city; country briefings and networking events; and some group meals.

The program registration deadline is Dec. 16. For more information, visit InWisconsin.com/middleeast.

About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive economy. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Visit www.inwisconsin.com or follow WEDC on Twitter @_InWisconsin to learn more.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.