British firms mull launching business in Mideast

A British trade mission comprising representatives of five companies on Tuesday concluded a two-day visit to Jordan where it sought to develop business and trade ties with the Middle East.
The mission, including representatives from Aggreko, City and Guilds, Linguaphone, KBC and Avon Barrier, was in the Kingdom to study the prospect of forging new partnerships, particularly in the fields of education, energy and security.
Its members held a series of meetings with the Ministry of Labour, National Electric Power Company and King Abdullah II Center for Excellence and also met potential clients to learn first-hand about how to start business in the region.
British ambassador to Jordan, Peter Millett, described trade between Jordan and Britain as "good and healthy," adding that the trade mission's visit underlined British companies' interest in developing ties with their Jordanian peers in such key sectors as Information Technology, energy and health.
The mission members were acquainted with the prospects of running a business in the rapidly growing region and were briefed on various ventures in Jordan as well as the Iraqi and Egyptian markets.