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Links Group attends mission to the UK with the Dubai FDI to discuss UAE investment opportunities
Dubai, UAE - The UAE’s economic diversification strategy continues to attract interest from UK investors, despite the sustained low oil prices. That was the view shared by Links Group, one the UAE’s leading providers of commercial facilitation and advisory services, following a recent trade mission to London with the Dubai FDI.
“Dubai remains a robust and sustainable market due to the government’s strategy to diversify the national economy by 2021. Developing these new sectors will shore up the economy, but getting there still requires considerable investment and this presents excellent opportunities for investors in the UK,” said Simon Hobart, Director of Links Group.
According to the Dubai FDI, bilateral trade between the UAE and UK is set to reach AED 120 billion by 2020, presenting a host of opportunities for investors. In 2015, trade between Dubai and the UK was worth AED 29.7 billion, and the UK remains one of the top source countries for foreign direct investment (FDI) into UAE.
During the trade mission, a sector-specific briefing on setting up business in Dubai was conducted for members of the Middle East Association (MEA) by Links Group in partnership with the Dubai FDI, and leading research firm and publisher of annual economic resource, The Business Year. Market insight was provided by different speakers on the travel & tourism, construction, healthcare, retail, education, renewables and sustainability sectors.
According to Links Group, recent government initiatives have already helped to boost investment interest among British companies. The introduction of public-private partnerships (PPPs) by the Dubai Government in November 2015 is expected to offer more opportunities for major international contractors and financiers.
“PPPs are seen as a feasible alternative to more traditional procurement models and will allow private investors to take stakes in projects along with the government, bearing part of the risk and sharing profits. Foreign companies must make sure they position themselves correctly via the most suitable means of incorporation to both capitalise on these opportunities, and safeguard their beneficial ownership interests,” added Hobart.
Ibrahim Ahli, Director of Investment Promotion Division at Dubai FDI said: “Over the last few years, the Dubai FDI along with our partners, have enabled a significant number of innovative British enterprises to set up in Dubai and target wider regional markets. As we gear up to Dubai Plan 2021, we look forward to welcoming further UK investors to explore the region’s exciting business landscape and offer them Dubai FDI's expertise in facilitating foreign investment.”
Ayse Hazir Valentin, Chief Executive Officer of The Business Year commented: “Dubai offers a highly attractive environment for UK companies — as a robust domestic market and as a platform to the broader UAE and GCC region. But it’s also an environment where information and trusted partners are vital. I think the level of interest we are seeing for The Business Year’s coverage of Dubai, for the Link’s Group as a prominent and trusted local partner, and for this event all reflect Dubai’s ongoing appeal as an investment destination.”
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About Links Group
Links Group partners, protects and enables foreign companies to operate in the UAE and Qatar markets while safeguarding their status as business owners. Combining business acumen with robust legal counsel, Links Group ensures its clients are protected at all times guaranteeing 100% owner control during market entry or exit, to build a business which they own and control.
Links Group is the first company of its kind to be endorsed by the Government of Dubai through a strategic alliance with the Foreign Investment Office (FDI) of the Dubai Economic Department. Links Group has an untarnished track record with over 400 clients, who represent combined annual revenues of over USD 5bn to their respective economies. It is also recognised as a Dubai SME 100 company, a ranking of the top performing SMEs in the emirate, and an Arabian 500 company.
www.linksgroup.com
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Marianna Wisden
Mojo PR
Tel : +971 55 552 7758
marianna@mojo-me.com
© Press Release 2016
