On 4 June 2017 Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar. This led to closures affecting road, air and sea routes between these countries and Qatar. As of 6 June 2017, the land border between Qatar and Saudi Arabia was closed. All flights between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain have been suspended until further notice.
Direct flights and direct freight routes to and from the UK are not affected.
Against this backdrop, INDEX Qatar 13-15 November, is a new dmg show launched earlier this year to exclusively focus on putting suppliers in touch with Qatari buyers. Forty percent of Qatari imports previously came from Saudi and the UAE. With these two supply routes blocked due to the current embargoes, the Qataris have to source other suppliers. It could be argued that this offers a once in a generation opportunity to UK interiors and design companies.
Qatar is designated a UK government Priority Market and BCFA has available UK Department of International Tradeshow Access Programme funding of £2,500 to assist UK suppliers to join companies from Italy, Spain, Turkey, Qatar, and Asia who are already attending.
There are a variety of “mega projects” which are now progressing through their design and construction phases, with interior materials, furnishing and fit-out suppliers and products yet to be sourced. For examples of some of the astonishing projects underway in the run up to the 2022 Football World Cup, visit www.index-qatar.com/market-intelligence/qatar-projects/
For further country information, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exporting-to-qatar and for more in depth show information, email Sue Graves, International Project Manager on sue@thebcfa.com