A 27-member trade delegation of UK recruiters and others from the Association of Technology Staffing Companies (ATSCo) begins a four-day visit to the Middle-East today.

The group is beginning the visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and will travel next to Doha, Qatar. Visits with local business leaders and UK trade representatives are on the agenda, along with client visits.

Ann Swain, chief executive at ATSCo, told Recruiter that she hoped the visits would provide a "catalyst" in helping recruiters decide if a presence in the region was the  right move for them. "The big thing is being able to make an informed decision, based on the opportunity we've
created here," Swain said.

CBSbutler managing director David Leyshon is one of the recruiters on the trip. He told Recruiter that he wanted "to establish the best way forward going toward establishing either a branch operation or a full-blown local company".

Leyshon said he also wanted to "cement relationships" with site-based management involved with a contract CBSbutler is about to roll out across the UK with a UAE-based project. More details about the project will be released later.

DeeDee Doke, reporting from Abu Dhabi