FAQs about the Middle East

Michael Thomas’s association with the Middle East goes back to 1971 just prior to the first oil boom. He is Director General of the Middle East Association, the UK’s premier organisation for developing trade with the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and Iran. The MEA is the leading organisation in the UK and Michael has advised governments and the private sector on trade with the Middle East. The MEA has a membership that is responsible for about 70% of all UK trade with the region. This covers all sectors and sizes of companies, both large and small. The Association takes more business people to the Middle East on trade delegations than any other organisation. It has a continuous programme of about 70 events a year to promote trade with the region and members are able to network at a high level at these events. The Association works closely with UK Trade & Investment and the FCO and recognises the GCC countries and Iraq as priority markets.