Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia & Qatar
Riyadh — Jeddah — Doha
Dates TBD, March 2009
The International Office of the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) will lead a trade mission to Saudi Arabia and Qatar in March 2009, dates to be determined. Cities to be visited include Riyadh, Jeddah, and Doha. Participating Iowa companies will have on-site meetings with potential end-users, distributors and/or collaborative partners.
Space is limited to six Iowa companies. The deadline for application is Friday, February 6. Read further for more information or contact Micah Kiel at 515.242.4801 or micah.kiel@iowalifechanging.com.
New waves of major private sector and infrastructure development in Saudi Arabia and Qatar present significant opportunity for Iowa companies. The Saudi government is encouraging private sector growth - especially in power generation, telecommunications, natural gas exploration, and petrochemicals - to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil exports. The government has announced plans to establish six "economic cities" - the largest of which, King Abdullah Economic City, is the highest value development project in the Gulf Region - in different regions of the country to promote development and diversification.
 Meanwhile, Qatar's GDP growth is strong at an overall 19.9 percent from 2001 to 2005. In 2006, the GDP increased a record 24 percent and then 14 percent in 2007. In the next ten years, Qatar plans to invest over $120 billion dollars in the development of the energy and industrial sectors and $50 billion in roads, infrastructure development, housing and real estate, health/medical and sanitation projects. Qatar has the fourth highest construction project value in the Gulf Region (268 projects worth $205 billion). Per capita income in Qatar is high at $29,655 in 20005, and there is no personal income tax in Qatar. Qatar imports over 90 percent of its food. In 2003, Qatar's food and agricultural imports totaled $489 million.
For further information, please download each of the market reports below.
Market Report — Saudi Arabia & Qatar [PDF: 219k]
Additional market background information is available at:
U.S. Country Commercial Guide for Saudi Arabia [www.buyusa.gov/saudiarabia/en/41.html]
U.S. Country Commercial Guide for Qatar [www.buyusa.gov/qatar/en/73.html]
US Department of Commerce Market Research Library [www.buyusainfo.net]
U.S. Department of State Background Notes [www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/mx]
Sectors: All industry sectors are invited to participate in this mission. The following information contains important information that will guide participants through pre-mission planning.
Itinerary: This preliminary itinerary will continue to develop as the mission dates approach. Your individual business itinerary will be developed to assist you in successfully accomplishing your mission goals. Please check this site regularly for itinerary/calendar updates.
A "new itinerary will be coming soon!"
Travel Information: Shorts Travel is the state travel agency for the trade mission (Diana, 800.274.6787 x0849), although you may use the travel agent of your choice. We will provide suggested flights and will have group ground transportation coordinated to meet these specific flights. You will be responsible for the booking and payment of your airline reservations.
Hotel Information: We have negotiated group rates at the trade mission hotels and will confirm arrangements for you based on your travel schedule. A credit card number will be necessary to guarantee your reservation. You will settle your account directly with the hotel at the time of checkout in each city.
 Passport/Visa Requirements: A valid U.S. passport and visa is required for U.S. citizens traveling to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Passports must be valid six months prior to departure. Health inoculation records/certificates not required for travel. If you have questions, please contact your travel agent or Micah Kiel at 515.242.4801 for suggested services. Other entry requirements may apply for citizens of countries other and the United States.
Saudi Arabia: www.saudiembassy.net/Travel/VisaReq-Business.asp
Qatar: www.qatarembassy.net/visa.asp
General Travel Information: The following Web sites provide links to international travel and health information. Please read through this information carefully.
Travel Insurance and Travel Health Insurance: If you are interested in purchasing international travel & health insurance for this trip, there are a variety of companies offering this service. See the sample of links below that may help you pick the insurance company that best suits your needs.
Mission Briefing: IDED will hold a pre-mission briefing to acquaint the participants with the overall itinerary, travel requirements, travel/lodging arrangements, country background, each other, etc. Thorough in-country commercial and economic orientations are also provided during the mission.
IDED will work with a contract representative from the region to conduct the necessary background research in order to arrange business meetings appropriate for each participating company's needs.
Basic Mission Fee: $3,000 per participating Iowa company.
Services Included: Your $3,000.00 deposit covers: group ground transportation; group breakfasts and dinners; business receptions; pre- and post-mission assistance; on-site support while in Saudi Arabia and Qatar; pre-mission business briefing; promotional support and complete mission planning. Individualized in-country business appointment schedules are also included in this fee and are available to the first 10 companies who have registered AND submitted the $3000 mission fee.
Interpreters (if needed) and personal transportation costs are not included in the price.
EXPORT TRADE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Export Trade Assistance Program (ETAP Funding): ETAP funds may be available on a first-come, fist-served basis to qualified business applicants for the trade mission. ETAP will reimburse 75% of an eligible company's direct expenses up to $3,000 per pre-approved Trade Mission.
[Note: ETAP reimbursement is only available to eligible companies who will also be conducting business meetings either organized by IDED or on your own during the mission dates. If your company is organizing your own business meetings, you must supply IDED a copy of your meeting itinerary to be eligible for ETAP.]
To view eligibility requirements and eligible expenses for reimbursement, click on the ETAP page to your left.
Estimated Mission Expenses:
The deadline for submitting all application information is Friday, February 6, although the sooner the items are received, the sooner the necessary research can begin.
- Mission Application [MS Word: 203k] [PDF: 215k]
- Participation Fee of $3000 per company
Checks payable to IDED Foundation. Invoice available upon request
- ETAP Application Form, if eligible [MS Word: 63k] [PDF: 1MB]
- Traveler Information Sheet [MS Word: 157k] [PDF: 67k]
- Brief (2-3 paragraph) company/product description for use in a promotional brochure
- Electronic version of relevant marketing materials
Submit application materials via e-mail or mail to:
Micah Kiel
Iowa Department of Economic Development
200 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
Contact Micah Kiel at 515.242.4801 or Micah.Kiel@iowalifechanging.com for additional information.
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