Bord Bia launches Dubai office to aid Middle East trade

Bord Bia is to open an office in Dubai, it announced yesterday, as part of its week-long trade mission in the Middle East.

In 2012, food and drink exports to the Middle East were valued at €275m, with the Gulf States (Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain) accounting for 70% or €192m. Bord Bia estimates food and drink exports to the Middle East could double to exceed €500m this decade.

The new office, which is likely to be located alongside other Irish development agencies based in the market, will focus on Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and the Gulf States, and monitor potential opportunities in Iran, Iraq, and Jordan.

Bord Bia chief executive Aidan Cotter said: “Over the past three years, our resources and extensive market research in the Middle East has pointed to significant growth and new business opportunities for Irish food and drink exporters. Our strategy for the market is to deliver on the potential to increase dairy and dairy ingredient exports to the Gulf region; on broadening market access for the Irish beef and sheep meat industry; and in securing premium positioning for Irish food through high-end retail and food service customers.”

Mr Cotter told trade mission participants in Abu Dhabi the new office will provide a practical solution for Irish companies seeking to enter the market by providing access to market knowledge, insight and research. It will open in January 2014.

Meanwhile, also in Abu Dhabi, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney met with Rashed Mubarak Al Hajeri, chairman of Agthiam, which is a key player in Abu Dhabi’s food security strategy and which is 51% state-owned.

Agthiam plays a key role in government food security initiatives; its chairman sits on the board of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority. It has interests in agri and consumer businesses, and it markets products such as flour and animal feed, mineral water, fruit juices, and yoghurts.

Mr Coveney said: “Agthia is one of the major players in the food sector in the Gulf Region. I was delighted to have the opportunity to present Ireland’s Food Harvest Plan for the development of its agri food sector, and to outline the tremendous potential for mutually beneficial commercial arrangements between Irish companies and major purchasers of raw materials and food products in Abu Dhabi.”

Mr Coveney also visited retail group Lulu’s, one of the largest retailers in the Middle East. The chain stocks a number of high quality Irish food products. It met with several of the Irish companies participating in the trade mission.

Some 20 meetings have taken place during the first two days of the mission. The Irish group travels to Dubai today, and then onto Saudi Arabia.