Companies to take part in trade mission to Gulf states despite the US offensive in Afghanistan

A 16-strong line-up of Northern Ireland companies is preparing to take part in a major trade mission to the Middle East this week despite the launch of the US offensive in Afghanistan.

Trade International Northern Ireland, the Industrial Development Board's export and trade development division, is leading the 10-day trade mission to the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Quatar.

A wide range of companies and organisations are taking part in the mission including Queen's University, Halib Foods, one of the North's leading exporters of cream milk powders, and Valpar Industrial, which manufacturers plastic tubing and dispensing systems.

Mr Alan Hingston, head of Trade International, said it had taken advice from the British Foreign Office and the British Consul in Dubai on the current situation regarding trade visits.

"We have been told that it's business as usual and the companies are keen to go and see their existing customers and talk to potential new customers.

"Trade International is not going to put any company in danger and we are obviously keeping a close look at the situation and if it should change, then our plans would change accordingly," Mr Hingston said.

The Middle East is currently among the top 10 export markets for Northern Ireland.

The latest figures from the Industrial Development Board show that around 100 companies from the North are doing business in the region and that it accounts for an average of £70 million sterling (€112 million) of export sales a year from Northern Ireland.

The Industrial Development Board recently established the Northern Ireland Trade Development Centre in Dubai, which is headed up by Mr Michael Craig.

Mr Hingston said many Northern Ireland companies which were taking part in the trade mission, which leaves on Friday, believed their participation would send a strong signal of support to their customers in the Middle East.

"Northern Ireland companies have had to be pretty robust, given the situation that they have had to do business in during the last 30 years, and they tend not to be put off by circumstances."