Reflecting the expected market opportunities in the region, Bord Bia has opened a new Middle East regional office in Dubai. Michael Hussey will be the Middle East Manager for Bord Bia Dubai and he is confident that Irish companies can take advantage of the demand for food in the region. “I
think there is a lot more potential in the region for Irish exports. It’s a very affluent market with a very young population. Bord Bia expects population growth will play a significant role in the surge in demand for food and food imports in the GCC region. At the turn of the century there were 28.5 million people living in the GCC member states according to UN statistics. By 2010, this had increased to 44.5
million people, a 56 per cent increase in population in one decade. By 2020 it is forecast the population in GCC members will exceed 50 million people. “It’s a very young, vibrant population.”