Austal’s United Arab Emirates Office was officially opened at the start of June by the Hon. Colin Barnett, Premier of Western Australia, at a function in the U.A.E hosted by the Government of Western Australia’s Middle East Trade Office.
At the event, Mr Barnett congratulated Austal on its expansion in the Middle East, noting that the new U.A.E. Office will assist in enhancing the company’s profile in the region.
Mr Barnett was joined at the event by Austal Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Bellamy, who commented that Austal has enjoyed a strong relationship with defence and commercial operators throughout the region, having delivered 20 vessels to the Middle East over the past 10 years, and securing several service and maintenance contracts at Austal’s Oman Service Centre.
The Austal U.A.E. Office will be managed by Austal Sales Manager, Brett Reed, whose 25 years maritime experience includes significant time at sea, vessel refit and repair contract management and consultancy to various global vessel operators. He has a keen interest in military communications and systems integration challenges in vessels for defence and paramilitary applications.
In recent years Mr Reed has played a key role in business development and promotion of Austal defence products around the world. While based in Dubai, Mr Reed will spend much of his time in the region visiting current and past clients and developing strategies to increase Austal business across the Gulf.
Mr Reed and the staff of the Austal U.A.E. Office will aim to strengthen the relationship between Austal and its existing clients in the Middle East; promote Austal products; find new opportunities; and ensure a rapid response to the needs of existing and future clients.
The Austal Dubai Office is located in the prestigious Jumeirah Lakes Towers development, close to Dubai Marina and linked to Dubai International Airport by Sheik Zayed Road.