Insider Media Limited

A Long Bennington-based lift protection manufacturer is among 200 British companies visiting Dubai this week. Kapok 88 will join the other delegates making the journey to discover potential business opportunities across the Middle East and North African markets.

Organised by UK Trade & Investment, the Britain in the Region event involves 200 businesses from across the country meeting with trade experts from more than 18 markets from Algeria, Kuwait, Syria and Saudi Arabia.

Richard Annable, managing director of Kapok 88, based near Newark, is attending the visit. He said: "I thought it would be useful to attend Britain in the Region as a way to help our expansion into this market as we are still relatively new to exporting.

"This is a great chance to network, build contacts and help boost product awareness.

"Our international success is gaining momentum nicely, so we are working hard on increasing our export sales, whilst appointing more distributors to add to the ones we already have in France, the Netherlands, Germany and the Middle East."

UK Trade & Investment chief executive officer, Sir Andrew Cahn, said: “Britain in the Region is taking place on the eve of an historic event - the first State visit to the UAE in more than 30 years. This visit will help strengthen our already close ties with the region.

“The Middle East and North African markets offer huge opportunity and promise for British business. Last year exports to the region were worth nearly £21bn. I hope each and every company attending Britain in the Region can find new markets, new opportunities or business partnerships to boost export orders.”