Specialised road-safety engineering consultants PMCE has completed its first full year offering its services in Qatar, with a value of €155,000. The announcement was made during the Irish trade mission to the Gulf Region led by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton on 22 April. [caption id="attachment_20016" align="alignright" width="300"] From left to right: Patrick Hennessy, Irish ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton, Peter Monahan, managing director at PMCE and John MacNamara, regional director Middle East and North Africa at Enterprise Ireland[/caption] “Breaking into the Qatar market has been a significant milestone for PMCE and this growth is providing increased employment in both its Irish headquarters and in the local area,” said Bruton. “Here’s an Irish engineering company, winning deals in the Gulf region, increasing export sales and ultimately creating jobs in Ireland. This success is a great example of what we are working to achieve through the Action Plan for Jobs.” The company provides independent specialist road-safety engineering advice on road-improvement projects. PMCE has a number of staff who are approved by the Qatar Public Works Authority (Ashghal) to undertake audits on Qatar Expressway and local road projects. PMCE’s work in Qatar consists of expert reviews of proposed road layouts (permanent or temporary), to identify possible safety issues and to advise on changes that will improve road-user safety. Customers include major local and international engineering design consultants and contractors, and PMCE has been awarded a high level of repeat business underlining its value in the local market. Some 40% of PMCE’s 2014 total turnover was generated in Qatar and it hopes to secure €260,000 of work during 2015. The increased revenues will lead to subsequent employment in Qatar, as well as the company’s Irish headquarters. Peter Monahan, managing director at PMCE said the company was pleased with its successful entry to Qatar, its first significant international market. “We believe that our services will help contribute to the increased safety of all road users on the new and improved roads being provided in Qatar,” he added. Initial discussions have commenced with a number of local consultants, with a view to establishing partnership arrangements to strengthen the support PMCE can provide to their Qatari customers. Brendan Flood, international sales & partnering manager, Enterprise Ireland, accompanied Minister Bruton on the trade mission. “Enterprise Ireland is committed to growing Irish exports to the Gulf Region to €6 billion by 2020,” he said. “It’s through the hard work and contracts secured by our clients such as PMCE that this target will be achieved.” The trade mission to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has 63 Irish companies participating, continued until Friday, 24 April. For more information, visit www.enterprise-ireland.com/trademission or see www.pmce.ie.