Recent Developments

Select Irish brands are expected to see significant growth in GCC states over next 3 years

H.E. Ciaran Madden, Ireland’s Ambassador to the U.A.E. has officially welcomed a delegation of Consumer Retail clients to Dubai for the Retail Ireland event. The visit, organised by Enterprise Ireland Dubai, is the first initiative of its kind showcasing leading Irish brands and is part of an ongoing process to assist Irish companies exploring commercial opportunities in the Middle East.

The two-day event took place at the JW Marriott Marquis, and was designed to educate a select few Irish brand companies on doing business in the region and familiarise them with some of the most prominent players - both retailers and distributors – such as the Al Tayer Group, Chaloub, Jashanmal, Qatar Luxury, Home Centre and Namshi.com. The format included education and information sharing sessions, as well as meetings with some of the GCC’s biggest names in the retail industry.

Gablestone Partners in particular had very successful meetings with both Dubai duty free and the Jewellery chain, Ahmed Seddiqi and sons. Follow-up negotiations are ongoing.

Barbara Walsh, Trade Development Executive, Enterprise Ireland said: ‘Enterprise Ireland is fundamental in creating links between Irish businesses and overseas partners to build mutually profitable international commerce relationships - a role in which the burgeoning retail sector is playing an increasingly important part. Events such as this present an important platform for clients looking to expand their business on an international scale.’’

Enterprise Ireland Dubai and H.E. Ciaran Madden also hosted an evening networking reception with the objective of cementing links between Irish companies and influential retail buyers for long-term, successful collaboration.