A finalised free trade agreement between the UK and Gulf Co-operation Council states could be on the home stretch, and the growing trade in sports equipment with the Gulf illustrates the need for it, a British trade minister has said.
Trade policy minister Douglas Alexander highlighted the sports industry as “a great example of British expertise” and said “a trade deal with the GCC would build on our already strong trading relationship, make it easier and quicker for UK companies to export, and create exciting opportunities for UK businesses in the region”.
The UK and the six-country Gulf bloc are thought to be closing to sealing an FTA, which could boost trade between the two sides by 16 per cent, potentially adding an extra £8.6 billion a year to the trade relationship in the long run.
British sports equipment companies export a wide range of products to the Gulf, including fences for stadiums, equipment for horse-racing courses and gyms, and the installation of playing pitches. “Over the past few years, the Middle East has truly established itself as a key destination for world-class athletes, which has seen demand increase for elite level facilities and playing surfaces as a result,” said David Ball, the Middle East managing director for SIS Pitches.
There has been a growth of stadium-building in the Gulf as a result of a burgeoning interest in sports such as football, driven especially by the World Cup in Qatar and the coming tournament in Saudi Arabia. This has meant SIS Pitches, which specialises in pitch construction and turf maintenance, is primed for a winning streak in the GCC countries. It installed its first pitch in Dubai in 2011 and more recently played a major role in creating the world’s first fully indoor hybrid football pitch at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. “So far, we’ve invested more than half a million pounds into the region, and our team is now 250-strong. We’re looking forward to continuing to establish ourselves as a trusted partner within the Middle East’s major markets,” Mr Ball added.
Deep passion for sport
In the world of personal fitness, UK specialist gym equipment makers such as Cheshire-based Pulse Fitness are looking to export more into the region to meet goals like Saudi Arabia's. The kingdom aims to increase the proportion of its population exercising every week from 13 per cent to 40 per cent by the end of the decade. Since 2019, Pulse has increased its sales eightfold in Saudi Arabia and seen them triple in Qatar.
“We’ve found our accessible equipment very popular in the Gulf and we’re looking forward to celebrating further success with our partners there in 2025 and beyond,” said David Taylor, Pulse Fitness global business development manager.
UK sports equipment companies have been doing business in the Gulf for many years, and the prospect of a free trade agreement would only deepen their relationships in the region. Oxfordshire-based Duralock makes high-quality fencing, which it initially began exporting to the Gulf states for camel and horse racing tracks nearly three decades ago.
“Over that time, we’ve witnessed first-hand the region’s deep passion for sport,” said Duralock's chief executive Jonathon McGovern. “Initially, this focused on horse and camel racing and equestrian sports, but it’s exciting to see other sports, like football, now flourishing as well. Markets like the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia have immense potential for growth, and we’re eager to see what the next 25 years will bring.”
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A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Pathaan
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Sleep Well Beast
The National
4AD
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
