Invest Northern Ireland, the economic development body for the UK region of Northern Ireland is celebrating three years of success in Saudi Arabia.

The organization, which promotes bilateral trade and investment, has been working in the region for decades but, recognizing the growing business and education links between Saudi Arabia and Northern Ireland, in 2012 it opened an office in the British Consulate in Jeddah.

Invest Northern Ireland celebrated this special occasion by hosting a dinner reception at the British Consulate. Speakers included the Consul General Mohammed Shokat and Wissam Saadi, regional manager, Invest Northern Ireland in Saudi Arabia.

A message sent from Northern Ireland’s Minister of Trade, Enterprise and Investment Arlene Foster reinforced the special relationship and congratulated the local team for their work and thanked the Saudi business fraternity for their help in developing business links.

Throughout the evening, guests had the opportunity to learn more about what Northern Ireland has to offer, from trade and investment, to tourism and education.

More than 180 guests enjoyed a sit down meal of traditional Northern Ireland cuisine. Amna Ali, business development manager, Invest Northern Ireland, commented: “I am so happy to see the key local business dignitaries enjoy a Northern Ireland evening showcasing the best of Northern Ireland sights and landscapes, trade and expertise, education and not to mention the wonderful menu that we have organized reflecting true feel of Northern Ireland.”

Saadi said: ‘We’re delighted to celebrate our third birthday surrounded by so many friends here in Jeddah. Northern Ireland companies have enjoyed great successes in Saudi Arabia and enjoy working here. Exports to Saudi Arabia continue to go up year on year with the past year’s exports amounting to 100 million pounds. Northern Ireland is a small region in the UK but due to the long history of innovation and the skilled and educated work force, our companies, schools and people are world-renowned. This evening is a celebration of all that Northern Ireland has to offer, from trade and investment, to education and tourism, not to mention the delicious food. We want to inspire our guests to come to Northern Ireland and see for themselves, so we hope that this evening will have played a part in doing just that.”

Shokat said: “I am delighted to be part of a great success story and to see so many influential business people here tonight. Northern Ireland has a lot to offer Saudi Arabia, from quality education to world-class medical equipment and it remains one of the great engineering and technology hubs of the UK, leading the world in standby power, diagnostics and materials handling equipment. I would like to add my congratulations and thanks for their contribution to the UK’s reputation in the Kingdom.”