Abu Dhabi trip puts us in great position, says BDP

Last week's Manchester business delegation to Abu Dhabi could help architects and advisers win contracts designing new schools and hospitals in the Middle East state, according to BDP.

Manchester City Council led a delegation of businesses and organisations including BDP, Arup, Aeadas Architects, Royal & Sun Alliance and Royal Bank of Scotland on the four-day visit. Public partners on the trip included Marketing Manchester, Midas, the University of Manchester, Manchester Airport and Manchester International Festival.

The trip, which concluded on Friday, was designed to capitalise on the attention focused on Manchester by Manchester City FC's visit to Abu Dhabi for a friendly match with the UAE national team on Thursday.

Stephen Redfern from BDP's Manchester studio said: "Building closer ties with territories like Abu Dhabi could potentially bring substantial benefits to a business like ours and we welcome the fact Manchester City Council and its partners have been proactive in organising this trip."

Redfern added: "Specifically BDP plans to use the visit to highlight how the skills and services offered by our Manchester studio fit with Abu Dhabi's aspirations, both socially and commercially. For example they have a great need for new schools, hospitals and transport infrastructure, all areas that we excel in.

"BDP also has a great track record within the sport and leisure sectors and hosting a Grand Prix, we believe, is just the beginning of Abu Dhabi's ambitions with regards to being a destination for world-class sporting events and global tourism. Furthermore our expertise in low-carbon design and planning, combined with extensive experience of working in similar arid climates such as the Libyan Desert, could put us in a great position to secure projects where there is a significant need for a sustainable approach."

Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese, who is representing the council along with chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein, said: "The links between our two great cities have never been closer.

"It is clear that this has come about because of the commitment that Manchester City's new owners have shown towards not just the club but also the city. And with direct flights every day between Manchester and Abu Dhabi, there's never been a better time for businesses in both cities to work together."

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