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18TH SEPTEMBER
MANSION HOUSE, DUBLIN 2
Golden Era of Opportunity for Irish Businesses in the Arab World
Ireland needs to diversify its international trade and FDI exposure, reduce its inordinate dependence on the US and prioritise growth markets, particularly in the Arab world, where there is significant potential for Irish businesses.
These were the findings of a new report from economist, Jim Power, which highlights the importance of looking beyond traditional markets to achieve export growth, which is crucial for economic prosperity.
It is against this backdrop, together with the global economic challenges over which Ireland has little or no control, that the fifth Arab-Irish Business Summit will take place. Jointly organised by the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs, the event will be held on Thursday, 18th September 2025 at the Mansion House Dublin, and will highlight the extensive business opportunities in these growing markets.
Moderated by Matt Cooper, the Summit will feature a range of senior business leaders from the Arab states who will share their invaluable insights, experiences and advice for Irish businesses.
They will be joined by senior executives from Irish companies who have already achieved success in the region and who will contribute their own unique perspective, including any challenges they have overcome along the way.
ARAB IRISH BUSINESS SUMMIT 2025
Photo credit: Naoise Culhane
SUMMIT SPEAKERS
Matt Cooper, TV & Radio Presenter
Neale Richmond, TD
Bobby Healy, Manna
Chanelle McCoy, Chanelle McCoy Health
Jim Healy, NuLumenTek
Eoin Cantwell, FITT Meals
Pauline Prescott, Formulae Prescott
Mark Breen, Safe Events Global
George Mullan, SIS Pitches Sligo
Ahmad Younis, AICC
Michael O'Loughlin, Argonautic Ventures
Stephen Twomey, Enterprise Ireland
Anita Thomas, Emirates
Enda Corneille, AICC
Colin Meagle, Continuous Ventures
Dr Khaled Hanafy, Union of Arab Chambers
Alan Foy, Venturewave Group
Abdulaziz M. Al-Anjeri, Reconnaissance Research
Elaine Coughlan, Atlantic Bridge
Dara McVeety, Lakeland Dairies
Kieran Fitzgerald, Bord Bia
Martin McHugh, WaterWipes
Billel Haddad, Inalca Algérie
Paul Geraghty, CR2
Bernard Dalton, ACETECH Global
Ciaran Gallagher, Bord Bia
Abdulaziz Alghifaili, Invest Saudi Office
David Lawlor, WaterWipes
Keith Brock, Enterprise Ireland
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Thursday 18th September l Mansion House, Dublin 2
Ireland’s export market to take centre stage at upcoming Summit
Spotlight now on Middle East and Gulf for Ireland’s strongest export opportunities according to business chamber
It’s not an easy time for Ireland’s exporters right now. Look to the west and the 15% US import tariff looms large. Look east and geopolitical instability casts a shadow highlighting just how precarious international trade has become. However, despite global economic and political turbulence, the Middle East and Gulf is emerging as the region offering some of the greatest opportunities to Ireland’s exporters according to the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce.
Chairperson, Enda Corneille, acknowledges there is growing caution among Ireland’s exporters, but emphasises that the strongest signals for export growth are now pointing east.
The Arab region imports more than 85% of the goods it needs, €3 billion of which came from Ireland in 2024. “Arab business leaders have long looked to the west for product, expertise and skills, and Irish companies are held in high regard,” said Enda Corneille.
“There is a new spotlight on markets such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Morocco and Egypt with well-known Irish businesses exporting a diverse range of products to these countries including Botox, food & drink, pharmaceuticals, beauty products, electronic equipment, animal feed and supplements. Ireland needs to diversify its international trade exposure and reduce its dependence on the US and we have seen significant potential for Irish businesses in the Arab world,” said Enda Corneille.
Businesses are actively seeking out new and scalable opportunities and it is against this backdrop that the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce has announced this business summit that will bring together prospective Irish exporters with those who have already broken into the Arab markets. The summit will also hear from Arab speakers who will offer a unique insight into doing business in the region.
Hundreds of Irish businesses are expected to attend what is being billed as the most important event for Irish businesses looking beyond the traditional markets of the US and UK for export and trading opportunities.
CONTACT US
The Arab-Irish Business Summit is jointly organised by the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, and the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade.
For further information contact Us:
Arab-Irish Business Summit Event Office
EuroEvents Ltd,
Unit 3, Turnpike Business Park, Ballymount, Dublin 22, Ireland
