Irish Trade Minister Mary Coughlan will lead a construction trade mission to Saudi Arabia and Qatar later this week.

The delegation of 64 firms will visit three cities, Doha in Qatar, and Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

The purpose of the mission is to increase awareness of Ireland in the Gulf region as a source of world-class products and services, and to develop new business opportunities with existing and potential customers and partners.

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Around half of the firms travelling are from the construction sector.

Ms Coughlan said: "Saudi Arabia and Qatar are two of the Gulf States that are best equipped to drive forward their rapid rate of planned expansion, while economic activities slow in other world markets.

"This combined with Ireland's industrial and technical strengths and the active interest of Irish companies in doing business in the region means there is substantial potential for a significant further upswing in trade partnership."

CEO of Enterprise Ireland, Frank Ryan said: "Exports of products and services from Ireland’s experienced indigenous SME base continue to rise in the region.

"By building on trade links and relationships that have been established, Irish business is strongly positioned to contribute to the Kingdom’s impressive pace of economic development."

(PR/JM)