Scottish Business Network strikes Middle East partnership

The Scottish diaspora membership organisation, Scottish Business Network (SBN), has announced plans to open a representative office in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and has selected DMCC, the world’s flagship Free Zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise, as its strategic partner there.

Complete with state-of-the-art infrastructure, world-class services and regulation, DMCC boats a network of over 15,000 established companies in the country’s leading Free Zone.

As the build-up continues to Expo 2020 Dubai, the UAE and broader region provide significant opportunity for Scottish companies seeking to expand globally. Dubai’s unrivalled connectivity means that eight hours on a plane in any direction gives access to 65 percent of global GDP and two-thirds of the world population. These elements combined make Dubai the ideal base for start-ups, SMEs and large enterprises seeking access to some of the world’s most exciting growth markets in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

The announcement of the new office opening comes at the end of the Scottish International Week (SIW), a joint venture between the Institute of Directors in Scotland and SBN.

Russell Dalgleish, SBN co-founder, said: “In 2017, we expanded from our London base to hold events in the U.S. and the Middle East. In Dubai, we found a very supportive and strategic partner in DMCC. A number of our members already operate in the UAE and broader region, and we believe the provision of soft-landing support, including desk space and company set up, will encourage more trade between Scotland and the Middle East.”

James Bernard, director- Sales, DMCC, who attended SIW and to outline the opportunities presented in Dubai through DMCC, added: “We are pleased that the Scottish Business Network has selected DMCC as its home in Dubai. This move is testament to our international appeal, and ability to attract, facilitate and drive global trade. Centrally located at the heart of a vibrant commercial and residential district, DMCC will connect SBN with a thriving business and trade community, locally, regionally and beyond. This is an important moment for our relationship with Scottish business community, and showcasing to the world the ease of doing business in Dubai through DMCC.”

The UAE is Scotland’s 11th largest export market with direct Scottish exports totalling over £1 billion. A growing number of Scottish companies have long had a base in the UAE, and a number of Scotland firms have received Emirati private and institutional investment, including Emirates Airline, Masdar and TAQA.

In December 2017, Scotland appointed its first trade envoy to the UAE as part of Scotland’s plans to expand its commercial reach internationally.