Granite PR shines spotlight on UAE with largest ever inaugural gateway

08/10/2018
The speakers who took part in the inaugural Aberdeen-Abu Dhabi/UAE Gateway
The speakers who took part in the inaugural Aberdeen-Abu Dhabi/UAE Gateway

Aberdeen-based Granite PR has created a new platform for North East companies to explore growth opportunities in Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates.

The first ever Aberdeen-Abu Dhabi/UAE Gateway was held at Macdonald Norwood Hall Hotel on Thursday, October 4th and welcomed an audience of 120 delegates.

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They were joined by representatives from Abu Dhabi who made the trip to Aberdeen to speak with their North East counterparts.

The scale of the event makes it Granite PR’s biggest ever foray into a new marketplace and extends the reach of the popular Gateway series of international business networking events to new geographic reach.

Commenting on the success of the inaugural Aberdeen-Abu Dhabi/UAE Gateway, supporter Rolv Flaaten said: “SAMCO and M3 Marine Innovative Technology were delighted to be involved in this new event.  When exploring opportunities in the Middle East, it is important that businesses go there aware of the challenges, ready to ask the right questions and mindful of the importance of careful due diligence.  Cultural awareness is as important as business awareness and it is crucial to ask specific questions to get the answers you need.

“We believe that our experience is something that can benefit others and we want to help our North Sea neighbours to move forward with their plans.  The Aberdeen-Abu Dhabi/UAE Gateway provided an important opportunity to talk with people in person and, hopefully, will represent the first step on a journey for some of those who attended this exciting new event.”

Event chairperson Tracie Watson commented: “The inaugural Aberdeen-Abu Dhabi/UAE Gateway was a huge success due to the calibre and range of both the local and international speakers and guests.

“It can be complex doing business in a new country which is why this event was a positive, exploratory first step for those companies looking to understand how to do business in the UAE.  Providing a forum where companies can find out in practical terms how to enter a new market is invaluable.  The connections made at the Gateway will form a good foundation for any new entrants to the UAE.”

Aberdeen-Abu Dhabi/UAE Gateway creator Brett Jackson added: “The fact that this event was our largest ever inaugural Gateway is a clear indication of the appetite which exists for information about Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE.  We are very grateful to all those who supported our efforts in many ways, and we hope that the event will provide a business springboard from which local businesses can take forward their own plans and ambitions.”

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