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Key Role at a Time of Uncertainty - MEA Annual Lunch Attracts Record Guests

Global Arab Network - - Hannan Taha

Thursday, 17 March 2011 17:19

A record 503 members and guests attended the Middle East Association (MEA) Annual Lunch at The Dorchester Hotel, London, on 15 March. The event launched the Association’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, the Guest of Honour was HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the former Saudi Ambassador to London. Global Arab Network, information service about the Arab world in English and Arabic, participated in promoting the event.
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Opening the proceedings, MEA Chairman Terry Stone commented, “ We meet at a time when there is uncertainty as to the future political and economic shape of some countries in the region. We all hope these current uncertainties will soon be resolved, in line with the wishes of each country’s citizens.

“The Middle East Association was formed with the objective of promoting and encouraging closer trade relationships with the countries of the Middle East... during the past 12 months we have taken over 220 executives on 12 trade missions to the region, held 6 major conferences, 11 business briefings, 2 major lunches such as this and 18 VIP lunches.

“The Middle East market is vitally important to us. In 2010 the UK’s exports to the Middle East increased by 14% to nearly £15 billion. At the same time our imports increased by 55% to £11.6 billion ...Our exports to the MENA region are still more than those to China, India and Brazil combined. We have a positive balanced of trade of nearly £3 billion with the Middle East which compares with a deficit of £27 billion with the 4 BRIC countries.”

“There will be a continuing need to inform and encourage UK business to look to the region for export potential and investment opportunities. The Middle East Association will be there to help and facilitate participation in these exciting markets with their enormous potential.”

HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal gave a keynote speech charting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s political history. He highlighted the Kingdom’s recent achievements under the leadership of King Abdullah, from the acquisition of membership of the WTO to the establishment of King Abdullah University for Science and Technology and the establishment of a dialogue between religions and cultures. He concluded “The Kingdom is a place of progress and stability. And this progress and stability have been hard won by actions of the past which continue very much today as the nation strives for a better future.” He added, “The Saudi leadership will tirelessly pursue its agenda of improving the government institutions to better address and improve the lives of its people - an agenda it has been pursuing for over 80 years.”

Speaking after the lunch MEA Director Charles Hollis commented, “The record number of people attending the lunch today is an indication of the importance of the MENA region to British business. The Middle East Association has played a vital role over the past fifty years in assisting and guiding British companies in doing business with the region, a role which is more important than ever given the current uncertainties.”

Global Arab Network

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Last Updated on Friday, 18 March 2011 17:53

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Published comments are the opinions of private individuals and do not reflect the views of Global Arab Network