Australia's New South Wales Minister for Roads and Ports & Leader of the House in the Legislative Council Visits UAE

Promotes Upcoming Infrastructure Projects to UAE Investors and Supports UAE Food Security Program during Visit

Over AED 2.2 billion Bi-lateral Trade between UAE and New South Wales in 2012 

Dubai, 10 July 2013 – The Hon. Duncan Gay MLC, Australia's New South Wales (NSW) Minister for Roads and Ports & Leader of the House in the Legislative Council, arrived in the United Arab Emirates earlier in the week to promote some of the upcoming infrastructure projects in New South Wales to investors in the United Arab Emirates. 

This visit aims to raise the profile of New South Wales and Sydney as an attractive business and tourism destination for visitors from the UAE and showcasing some of the significant investment opportunities in New South Wales while engaging with potential investors from the UAE.

The New South Wales Minister and his accompanying delegation also aim to raise the profile of New South Wales as a partner to support the UAE's food security program by attracting investments in the agriculture sector and promoting more food exports to the UAE. 

Moin Anwar, New South Wales Trade & Investment Commissioner (Middle East) commented: “This is the third high-level visit from Sydney to the United Arab Emirates in the last 14 months and is the result of strong and growing ties between the UAE and New South Wales. The UAE is Australia's largest market in the Gulf, with excellent growth prospects. In 2011-2012, total bilateral trade between New South Wales and the UAE was valued at 687 million Australian Dollars (AED 2.287 billion), an increase of 36 per cent on the previous year.”

The economy of New South Wales is strong generating 31% of Australia's GDP and is home to the country's financial system. With AAA rating and a healthy pipeline of strong projects, New South Wales is the largest manufacturing sector in Australia with 43% of the country's top companies and over 600 multinationals are head quartered.

The delegation met with several UAE officials and businessmen from the public and private sectors where they held talks about potential investment opportunities in New South Wales. The Hon. Duncan Gay also met with Mr. Khaled Soliman, CEO of Galadari Brothers, and that is currently expanding their business with the opening of Baskin Robbins in New South Wales and Australia.

“New South Wales Trade & Investment is in talks with two major banks in the UAE on how we can further develop our financial industry connections. We also welcome investments in the F&B sector – Baskin Robbins expansion by Galadari Brothers in New South Wales and Australia is an ideal example that will contribute to the development of the franchise market across all of Australia,” added Anwar.

A high-level dinner was also held with CEO level representation from different segments of the local food industry (distribution, retail and manufacturing) as well as facilitators of the food trade – Dubai Economic Department and Emirates. 
 
For more information and to get useful data please visit now.nsw.gov.au