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Interesting Read #2, compliments of others----

The NEWest report:
June11, 2007

Published: 11/06/2007 12:00 AM (UAE)

Canadian exports to UAE may rise 20%
By Shakir Husain, Staff Reporter



Dubai: Canada is expecting a 20 per cent increase in its exports to the UAE this year, as it pushes to expand economic links with the Middle East's fast developing business hub.

A Canadian official said companies from his country see huge potential in the region's services sector.

Canada will also promote itself as an attractive destination among tourists and students in the UAE, said Ted Menzies, a lawmaker who just concluded a visit to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Yemen as head of a parliamentary committee on international trade.

Menzies sees potential projects for Canadian companies in the energy, healthcare, infrastructure and education sectors.

"We have built a strong services sector around the oil and gas industry so there are great opportunities for Canadian companies. Education is another big field where we see opportunities," Menzies told Gulf News.

He will be presenting a report in the House of Commons in September about the potential of developing business relations with Middle Eastern countries.

Menzies said large-scale infrastructure projects in the region will attract more Canadian firms.

There are 115 Canadian companies operating in the UAE and 20 of them are in the oil and gas services sectors. About 12,000 Canadian citizens live in the country.

According to Canadian statistics, the country exported goods worth Dh2.72 billion to the UAE in 2006.

Graham Rush, senior trade commissioner at the Canadian consulate in Dubai, estimates that additionally Canadian companies exported services worth about Dh690 million.

"We expect 20 to 25 per cent growth in our exports to the UAE in 2007," Rush said.

Separately, Dubai's non-oil direct trade with Canada in 2006 was Dh1.6 billion, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry director-general Hamad Mubarak Buamim said in a statement.

Canada is also hoping for a greater number of tourists from the UAE.

Last year the Canadian embassy in Abu Dhabi issued about 16,000 visit visas.

The country attracts between 500 and 600 students from the UAE every year


http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/06/11/10131604.html