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World class Infrastructure Trade & Investment Queensland has moved quickly to secure contracts for innovative companies for the massive new Dubai South development in the UAE. Centred on the new Al Maktoum international airport and the World Expo 2020 site Dubai South presents outstanding opportunities for companies with specialised niche offerings in infrastructure and related sectors. Infrastructure – expected to boom on the back of world class events Middle East market overview The oil-based Gulf states of the Middle East are looking to diversify their economies, which will provide ongoing opportunities for Queensland companies in the food and agriculture, education and training, and infrastructure sectors. Queensland companies with innovative offerings in these sectors will be in high demand. Exporting to the Gulf states of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait will provide the ideal launch pad for expansion in the greater Middle East and Northern African region. Current opportunities Future market opportunities The diversification of the Gulf states is a long-term trend and will be the consistent thread driving the development of new industries in the region. The Gulf states will also play a greater role as a regional hub for a number of industries with its influence extending to include Eastern Africa, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia and South Asia. Political stability in the region is a current issue, however long-term the region is expected to grow significantly on the back of a young and ambitious work force. Chains Supply Processed food Countries like the UAE are investing heavily into the logistics of supply chains to be one the main players in the food sector in the region – opening up further opportunities for the processed food sector to feed product into these chains. main players areas Key building the SME sector Innovation Research and development into key areas of life sciences, biotechnology and innovation will be used to help build the SME sector in the Middle East. The opportunity for Queensland companies will be to partner with these new innovative SMEs, for mutual benefit. 85% of their food needs 1 Food security Food security continues to be a key driver for the Gulf states. The UAE currently imports 85% of their food needs, and safe reliable food sources like Queensland are of continuing interest. Opportunities will exist in meat and horticulture, bulk grains, processed food, and franchised operations. Specific opportunities for services and equipment exist in the aquaculture sector as the Gulf states look to develop some level of self-sufficiency. UAE imports 60-100 Education drive The diversification of the Gulf states will be based on greater education. For instance the UAE is embarking on creating 60 – 100 new schools and is aiming for 70,000 new school places by 2020. Opportunities exist in curriculum development, school franchising and partnerships. new schools to be developed 2
