As a follow up to the signing of the Singapore-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the SBF Middle East Business Group (MEBG) will be organising a business mission in conjunction with a high level government visit to Oman, Qatar and UAE from 13 - 24 March 2009. The dates for the mission are as follows:

Date	Country
13 - 16 Mar	Singapore - Oman (Muscat)
16 - 20 Mar	Oman (Muscat) - Qatar (Doha)
20 - 21 Mar	Qatar (Doha) - UAE (Dubai)
21 - 24 Mar	UAE (Dubai) - UAE (Abu Dhabi)

Delegates attending this business mission will be: -

DISCOVERING new markets for your products and services in the GCC states

UNDERSTANDING the overall business environments and emerging sectors in Oman, Qatar and UAE

EXPLORING investment and trading opportunities

MEETING business partners and official contacts

Key Activities will include meetings with government organisations, briefing sessions, business matching, networking events, site visits and others.

Sectors covered will include:

Tourism & Hospitality

ICT

Oil & Gas

Education

Construction, Real Estate & Facility Management

Consumer Products, Services & Retail

Water & Environment

Trading

Investment and Finance

If you have any other specific industry or interest, please feel free to contact Zann or Shuzhen at 6827 6836/ 47.

The details of the programme will be made available at a later date while the cost is as follows. Please note that there are 2 accommodation options for each country.

Estimated Costs: (*SBF members will receive preferential rates on common costs)

++ Air Tickets

i)Sin – Oman (return via Abu Dhabi) = SGD$2654 + taxes (Economy Class)

ii)Oman - Qatar = SGD$731 + taxes (Economy Class)

iii)Qatar - Dubai = SGD$737 + taxes (Economy Class)

2++ Hotel Accommodation
(Price per night, incl. Breakfast)

	Oman(Muscat)	Cost	Qatar(Doha)	Cost	UAE (Dubai)	Cost	UAE (Abu Dhabi)	Cost
Option 1	Shangri La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa	SGD $450	Four Seasons Doha	SGD $975	Raffles Dubai	SGD $740	Emirates Palace Hotel	SGD $800
Option 2	Al Bustan Palace	SGD $790	Movenpick Tower and Suites	SGD $356	Hilton Dubai Creek	SGD $559	Inter-continental Hotel	SGD $488

Estimated Common Cost
(incl. local transfers, meals, brochures, rental of venues for networking and other miscellaneous expenses)*

SGD$3200 (SBF/MEBG Members)

SGD$3800 (Non-members)

++ Eligible companies can apply to International Enterprise Singapore for double tax deduction for accommodation and air travel costs for up to 2 representatives per participating company. You can apply to this scheme at http://dtd.iesingapore.com but companies must make their application at least 7 days before departure.

* Common cost subsidized under IMAP is already factored into the estimated common cost. Seats are limited for this high level business mission and if you are interested, please fax this form to SBF at 6720 2873 by 25 February.