Flying the flag for Belfast at the Arab-Irish Business Summit 2025

It was truly inspiring to hear how Irish businesses have expanded into the UAE and Saudi Arabia launching innovative ventures, yesterday at the Arab-Irish Business Summit in the Mansion House, Dublin.

From food & drink to fintech, engineering to logistics, we heard story after story of Irish innovation finding a home in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and beyond, with huge thanks to Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia - The Irish Food Board and the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce for opening those doors.

Some highlights that stood out for us:

• Food & Drink – Eoin C. (FITT Meals) and Dara McVeety (Lakeland Dairies) on scaling sustainably into new markets.
• Irish Success Stories – David Lawlor (WaterWipes), Pauline Prescott (Formulae Prescott) and Chanelle McCoy (Chanelle McCoy Health) showing the global reach of Irish brands.
• Construction & Engineering – George Mullan (SIS Pitches), Anita Thomas (Emirates Flight Catering), Jim Healy (NuLumenTek®), Bernard Dalton (Ace Tech Middle East).
• Fintech & Technology – Bobby Healy (Manna Air Delivery) and others on the future of Irish innovation abroad.

A special word of thanks to:

• Enda Corneille, Chairman, Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce
• ‍Ahmad Younis, Secretary General & CEO, Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce
• Khalid Hanafi, Union Arab of Chambers
• Abdulaziz Al-Anjeri, Reconnaissance Research, Kuwait
• Abdullatif Alghaifli, Invest Saudi Office UK

And on a personal note, it was fantastic to reconnect with Rebecca Landy of Glow Wellness, Eunice O'Neil – EPIC Gems and Annette Burke – EFTea (both on a mission to get their products into UAE and onto Emirates ✈️)

The energy in the room was electric, collaboration, possibility and ambition in every conversation. As for us, Aidan and I are more excited than ever about bringing Horrible to Dubai in the near future and helping our clients expand, reposition and thrive in the Arab world.

Huge thanks to everyone involved, what a day of ideas, connections and opportunity. We definitely left thinking BIGGER..!!