The GCC Europe Expo, scheduled to be held in November in London, has received support from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The Arab-British Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Gulf Chambers of Commerce in conjunction with Publications UK, the organisers of the expo, announced that the Prime Minister will deliver a personalised video message of support at the opening ceremony on November 12.

The event is being organised on November 12 and 13 at Olympia, London.

Peter Mandelson, EU Commissioner for Trade, will deliver the keynote speech at the event’s Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on November 12 at The Dorchester, Park Lane, London. Over 380 VIP guests and top business people are expected to attend the dinner.

The news is an indication of just how significant the event is being seen for promoting bilateral trade between the EU and GCC, said a statement.

The event will feature more than 150 leading Gulf and European companies, hosting a series of educational seminars to highlight investment opportunities in various sectors. It will be the largest EU-GCC bilateral trade event of its kind aimed at facilitating trade and investment and to help forge potentially thousands of new commercial relationships between EU and GCC businesses.

Also speaking at the conference are EU deputy director-general Karl Falkenberg and secretary general of the GCC Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah who will deliver the keynote speech.

Publications UK managing director Stewart Lee said: “We are thrilled to have both the support of Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson at this important new event that will open up new horizons for co-operation and joint ventures between GCC businessmen and their EU counterparts.” - TradeArabia News Service