MIDDLE EAST ASSOCIATION UK ROADSHOW – LONDON

Gateway to MENA: Unlocking Business Opportunities Across the Middle East

Date: Tuesday 21 July 2026
Time: 10:00am – 2:30pm
Location: Womble Bond Dickinson, London

The Middle East Association (MEA) is delighted to launch the first event of the MEA UK Roadshow — a dynamic multi-city business series connecting UK companies with one of the world’s fastest-growing and most opportunity-rich regions.

This London edition will bring together senior business leaders, investors, Government representatives, professional services firms, and regional experts for an engaging half-day programme focused on trade, investment, market entry, and commercial growth across the Gulf and wider Middle East.

Whether you are already exploring the region or simply curious to better understand the opportunities emerging across MENA, this event offers a unique chance to gain practical insight directly from organisations actively operating in the market.

Alongside high-level discussions and expert perspectives, the event is designed to create meaningful networking opportunities — bringing together ambitious companies, decision-makers, and regional specialists in an informal but highly valuable setting.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Learn about real commercial opportunities across the Gulf and wider MENA region
• Gain practical market-entry insights from experienced operators and advisers
• Better understand the legal, financial, cultural and strategic aspects of doing business in the region
• Build valuable new connections with businesses, investors, advisers and Government stakeholders
• Participate in networking sessions and pre-bookable one-to-one meetings with speakers and partners

Programme

10:00am – 10:30am
Registration, Coffee & Networking

10:30am – 11:00am
Welcome Remarks & Opening Keynote

11:00am – 12:00pm
Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A

12:00pm – 1:00pm
Networking Lunch

1:00pm – 2:30pm
Pre-Bookable One-to-One Meetings with Partners & Speakers

Themes likely to include:

• UK–GCC trade and investment opportunities
• Market entry strategies across the Middle East and North Africa
• Doing business in MENA: legal, regulatory and cultural considerations
• Infrastructure, tourism and giga-project opportunities
• Export finance and Government support for UK companies
• Building regional partnerships and long-term commercial relationships
• Practical insights from organisations already operating successfully across the region

Event speakers: 

Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan – Supporting UK–Jordan business engagement and regional investment dialogue as Silver Sponsor.

Department for Business and Trade (DBT) – UK Government department supporting trade, exports, investment and international business growth.

UK Export Finance (UKEF) – The UK Government’s export credit agency, supporting British exporters and overseas buyers through finance and insurance solutions.

Womble Bond Dickinson – International law firm supporting businesses, investors, infrastructure projects and cross-border commercial activity across the UK and Middle East.

AEI Saudi – Saudi-focused strategic advisory and market-entry platform helping international companies navigate opportunities across the Kingdom.

Sovereign Group – International corporate services and private wealth group supporting company formation, structuring, relocation and investment across multiple jurisdictions including the Gulf.

Smart Currency Business – Foreign exchange and international payments specialist helping companies manage cross-border transactions and currency risk.