The Middle East Association is organising, in conjunction with CT Business Travel, a TRADE MISSION to LEABANON from 15 to 19 October 2006. Michael Thomas, Director General of the MEA, visited Lebanon on the first BMed flight to resume after the cessation of hostilities. He was given a very warm welcome at ministerial level and promised to return at the earliest opportunity with a trade mission.

We now have the approval and blessing of our Embassy in Beirut to proceed and the Mission will fly out on BMed on 15 October and return on the 19th. CT Business Travel are offering a package price of about £880 and it may well be less. In order not to overburden Post, we are aiming at between 12 and 15 participants. In view of the short notice, we need to have firm commitments to join the Mission as fast as possible.

CT Business Travel are at this moment putting a Mission Prospectus together and negotiating final package details. These will be available on request by Thursday.

Saudi Arabia

CT Group Travel are delighted to have been appointed by the Middle East Association as their Mission Managers and in this respect I should like to bring to your attention their Multi-Sector Trade Mission visiting Saudi Arabia 4th to 14th December for which full details and contact information are now available.

In addition to the usual benefits and support available on a MEA Trade Mission, this Mission benefits from a generous British Offset Office Travel Grant of up of £500 for qualifying companies and delegates will also be assisted in obtaining the visa required to enter Saudi Arabia.

It will be an ideal platform for companies new to this market to investigate, with the support of the British Embassy/Consulate General/Trade Office in Saudi Arabia, the potential for their products and/or services, as well as being an opportunity for companies already established to strengthen existing, and establish new, business relationships.