UK aerospace industry signs agreement with Middle East consortium

The offices will be in Dubai and Jeddah with the intention to open two more in Bahrain and Qatar in the next twelve months.

A|D|S, FAC and MEAC have agreed to work together to provide opportunities for A|D|S and FAC members to enter or expand their Middle East operations. 

The Middle East economy continues to expand robustly with GDP still growing at around 5 per cent per year.  In addition the geographic position of the region as a hub has been enhanced enormously over the past five years by general aviation liberalisation allowing Middle Eastern countries to act as hubs, along with the introduction of ultra long-haul aircraft offering virtually non-stop service to and from almost any point in the world.  This has resulted in ten leading Middle East airports investing some $37 billion in new capacity by 2012, increasing passenger throughput to just less than 400 million per year.

Rees Ward, Chief Executive of A|D|S, said:The Middle East is a vital area of future growth for the UK companies that we represent and our members are attractive partners for industrial collaboration for companies based in the area.  It is crucial for our members, as well as the UK economy, that we boost our presence in this important region.

"We look forward to further expanding our mutually beneficial cooperation with FAC and MEAC that will in turn assist our members, representing the cream of UK manufacturing and services, to boost their access to a vital, growing international market."