A Government-backed trade mission to the Middle East will today meet Irish firms in Dubai before returning home.
The delegation - led by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern - will also attend a business breakfast in the United Arab Emirates city organised by Enterprise Ireland.
Up to 170 business people from 114 firms north and south of the Border are taking part in the five-day mission.
The Taoiseach held talks with political leaders during the trip, which also included Saudi Arabia.
Enterprise Ireland aims to target new contracts in telecommunications, IT, construction, banking, public sector/utilities and education and e-learning services.
In 2005, Irish firms exported goods and services worth €152 million to the Middle East region, where more than 320 million people live across 15 countries.