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THE UK's largest and most established regional aerospace and defence trade association is to open an office in Bahrain within the next 12 months as it expands its business development and presence in the Middle East.
Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Middle East Aerospace Consortium (MEAC) and ADS trade association to extend the benefits it offers to member companies.
The not-for-profit trade association works to facilitate business between companies and suppliers offering advice and support to over 300 consortium members and partners.
As a regional association, the FAC assists organisations from small and medium enterprises to global companies working in the aerospace and defence industry and furthering the long-term strategic growth of the industry in the UK.
Since 2007, the FAC Dubai office has been valuable in assisting its members with doing business in the UAE. This new agreement will broaden services to its members in the wider MENA region, offering them access to shared offices in Jeddah and Dubai. MEAC, ADS and FAC plan to open two more offices in Bahrain and Qatar within the next year.
Air traffic in the Middle East is expected to grow faster than any other region in the world over the next decade and the Middle East is fast becoming a highly important location for the global aerospace industry.
In recognition of this, FAC has formed a partnership that will open up opportunities in the region for its members and give them access to the expert local knowledge offered by MEAC.
John Copley, CEO of FAC said the move would help strengthen the support provided to members in accessing the wider Middle East region.
John Ellis, CEO of MEAC, added: "We are delighted to be able to offer support to ADS and FAC member companies to help them develop business in the Middle East aerospace market. We will be providing a bespoke level of service to each company who joins the programme to develop business. Members will also have the benefit of a number of high profile events occurring throughout the region as well as many networking events."
Farnborough Show experts were involved in the successful inaugural Bahrain Air Show.
