The Duke of York attends the British Embassy's 'Britain in the Region' event

Press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, UK Special Representative for International Trade and Investment is today visiting Dubai.  As part of a programme of Trade and Investment focussed engagements he will be the guest of honour at the 'Britain in the Region' event organised by the British Embassy to support British companies based in Dubai who are looking to do business elsewhere in the region.

John Hawkins Consul General, British Embassy, Dubai said: "To have His Royal Highness attend Britain in the Region with us, along with so many partners from across the region's business community, is a proud moment.  Dubai is now the hub for a very large number of British companies.  This event offers those companies an excellent opportunity to build relationships with our Trade and Investment teams from across the region and to learn more about the opportunities in their respective markets. We are extremely grateful to Shell for sponsoring the event, and to the British Business Group of Dubai & Northern Emirates, the Financial Times and The Times (Middle East) for their valuable partnership. "

Britain's Minister for Trade & Investment, Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham, who has visited the region several times since his appointment in July 2007, taking in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Dubai and Morocco added: "Middle East and North African markets offer huge opportunities for British business.  Economies across the region are booming and trade is growing rapidly.  UK Trade & Investment aims to ensure that British companies are best placed to tap into these opportunities."

Raoul Restucci, Shell Country Chairman for Dubai and the Northern Emirates said: " We are immensely pleased to support once again, the 'Britain in the Region' event. Shell has a 100 year history of investing in the Middle East and has a strong commitment to seeing British businesses continue to contribute to the rapid development of the region."

Commenting on the event, Mark Beer (BBG Chairman) said: "The Middle East and North African region is an expanding and developing market and is very important to British businesses and the UK. While the UAE already has a very good relationship with British trading, 'Britain in the Region' is a great initiative to help British companies that use Dubai as a hub to expand further into the MENA region.''

Notes for Editors
1. Hosted by the UKTI Regional Hub based in the British Embassy Dubai, 'Britain in the Region' will run from 11.00 -19.30 on 2 April at the Mina A'Salam Hotel - Dubai.

2. UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the Government organisation that helps UK companies succeed in the increasingly global economy.  'Britain in the Region' is a unique UKTI networking event for British companies with a presence in the UAE, seeking to expand their businesses across the region. Senior UKTI officers from British Embassies and Trade Offices from 15 countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa will be on hand to offer UK companies advice on conditions and opportunities in their respective markets.

3. UKTI Officers from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestinian Territories, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Egypt will attend, as well as officers from the British Embassies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Other participants at the event included the British Business Group of Dubai & Northern Emirates, Energy Industries Council, British Expertise, the Middle East Association and the Arab British Chamber of Commerce.

4. HRH The Duke of York is the second son and the third child of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. After serving for 22 years in the Royal Navy, The Duke of York has been the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment since 2001.

5. Working with Government, and in particular UKTI, The Duke's job involves promoting the UK as an attractive inward investment destination for foreign investors; creating more positive business conditions for British businesses investing overseas; and helping UK companies export their products to emerging and established markets.

6. In addition to attending the Britain in the Region event; while in Dubai Prince Andrew will meet with senior figures and a number of UK companies.  He will also visit DIFC and attend a British Business Group function.

7. Celebrating its 20th Anniversary year, the BBG now has over 1,000 members.  The group, which is the largest and most active business group in the Gulf, holds around 80 networking events, fora and seminars each year.

8. For further information on Britain in the Region contact Karen Williams or Avril Walker at UK Trade & Investment, Regional Hub, British Embassy Dubai.

• Email: uktihub.dubai@fco.gov.uk  Tel: +9714 309 4260
• Website: www.arabianbusiness.com/british-embassy