International: UK Trade & Investment assists smaller firms to target Dubai and Qatar

The first legal services trade mission to the Gulf region is set to offer opportunities for small and medium-sized UK law firms to enter the Middle East market.


The visit to Dubai and Qatar in April 2007, organised by the London region international trade team at UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), is intended to assist those looking to set up or establish partnerships or contacts in the region.


UKTI's London arm is offering a grant of £500 per visiting firm - so long as it is located inside the M25.


To be eligible for the funding, firms must have fewer than 250 employees, a turnover of less than £25 million per year, and be new to exporting to the Dubai market. Firms should also be able to demonstrate the ability to expand overseas. Regional funding may be available for firms based outside the M25.


According to UKTI, the Gulf is one of the fastest-growing economic areas after China. It said the growth in the financial services sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has already made it a leading destination for business, while the legal market in Qatar is growing rapidly to cope with the diversity, speed and sophistication of its economic development.


Nankunda Katangaza, the Law Society's international policy executive for Africa and the Middle East, said: 'The Law Society is looking forward to working with UKTI on this first legal services trade mission to the UAE and Qatar and hopes this unique opportunity will facilitate small and medium-sized firms' efforts in building international links in that region.'


Several large City firms are already poised to enter the Qatar legal market, which has become the most popular place in the Middle East for international firms to open after Dubai. Eversheds launched an office in Qatar in October - firms expected to follow suit include Clyde & Co, Denton Wilde Sapte, DLA Piper, and Trowers & Hamlins.


The Gulf mission highlights the increasing role UKTI is playing in promoting legal services. The government agency recently helped lawyers in Leeds launch Leeds Legal, a marketing campaign to attract national and international corporate clients to the city. It also supported a delegation of smaller law firms to the International Bar Association annual conference, in Chicago.