The British Trade Office in Alkhobar together with its partners, the Asharqi Chamber of Commerce, and British Council, Alkhobar, are holding a series of business and cultural events from April 19-23. This followed the highly successful Saudi British Week of 2007, where more than 50 trade visitors from the UK joined in various business related events in Eastern Province with their Saudi counterparts. This year trade delegates joined in the program of events from the Middle East Association, Scottish Development International, UKTI’s Environmental Sector Group, and the Energy Industry Council. A sizable group of more than 50 companies is participating.
A key event in the week’s activities is the conference co-hosted with Asharqia Chamber of Commerce, focusing on SME development and high growth business start-ups. Speakers will highlight case studies from the UK, shared experiences of how they have utilised government and EU funds to assist young business, from start-up to expansion of operations into overseas markets, at the conference.
The aim throughout the business week is to enable companies — both Saudi and British — to network and talk business. In addition to the conference with the Chamber of Commerce (April 20), activities include women in business events, and a Trade Mission Reception at the Meridien Hotel on April 21. Visiting business from UK will also call on Saudi Aramco, the Royal Commission and SABIC. The Trade Office is keen to track business alliances formed, and can share deals and commitments so far signed up during the week.
British Company Cordell Engineering signed an MOU with Al Binali Group looking at a joint venture in engineering services. The start to a long term relationship. The joint venture company “Al Binali Cordell Arabia” will initially be providing the turnkey electrical, instrumentation and control systems solutions associated with new build, and smaller scale de-bottlenecking schemes, controls systems integration, plant enhancement and upgrade projects.
This will provide potential clients with the opportunity to engage one company that can project manage, design, manufacture, install and commission the complete turnkey electrical, control systems and instrumentation package.
Alderley Industrial, a joint venture between the Al Shoaibi Group of Alkhobar and the Alderley Group in Gloucestershire, announced the start of manufacturing operations in its new base at a prestigious location in Dammam’s First Industrial Estate. Alderley has been active in the Kingdom for some years and has been successful to take major market share in the provision of Custody Measurement Systems for Oil and Gas.
Velosi, a leading international third party inspection and certification organization quoted on the AIM market in London, has recently expanded its services to Saudi Arabia by forming Velosi Saudi Arabia Co. Ltd. based in Alkhobar. The company is a joint venture with its Saudi partners Al-Shoaibi and Al-Turki groups, also based in Alkhobar. Velosi offers quality assurance & quality control services.
The British Trade Office thank their partners in delivery: Asharqia Chamber of Commerce, Asharqia business ladies, British Council Alkhobar and Saad Group for their assistance. Special thanks go to this years sponsors: SABB, KPMG, bmi, Ahmed Hamed Al-Gosaibi Group, Olayan and Zamil groups, without whose contribution we would not be able to take forward these initiatives in such a professional way.
