scotland sets base in the city
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Wednesday » December 5 » 2012 Scotland sets up base in city to boost trade Thursday, April 05, 2012 Calgary's strong energy, investment and cultural ties to Scotland has led the Scottish government to establish a second Canadian base for its trade and investment arm. Scottish Development International recently reestablished its presence in Canada with the opening of an office in Toronto, headed by Raymond McGovern, its senior vice-president for Canada. Calgary was chosen as its second base and an office is now open within the British Trade Office space in Suncor Energy Centre. And Calgary has become the new home for its development executive Adnan Ahmad, who just a couple of weeks ago arrived from Dubai via Toronto. Ahmad was born in Saudi Arabia but returned with his parents to Pakistan where he was educated and received his B. Comm at the University of Punjab and his MBA in information technology at Preston University, both in Lahore. He then relocated to the United Arab Emirates and began his working career in the oil and gas industry with G.O.P.E. Equipment Sales as country manager responsible for establishing sole distribution/representative agreements for international companies to supply equipment and services in the Gulf region. In 2006, Ahmad joined the Swedish Trade Council to lead consulting engagements for Swedish companies evaluating, entering and expanding business in the Middle East and North African markets as well as organizing and accompanying delegations. Based in Dubai, Ahmad had to do a lot of travel with frequent passport stampings in Iran, Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Unstable political conditions and having to renew his working visa every year prompted Ahmad and his wife, Fiza, to think about immigrating to the west. They paid a visit to an uncle in Toronto in 2007 and soon after applied under the Canadian skilled immigrant program. Ahmad was accepted in 2009 and revisited Toronto with his wife and young son to determine if he had made the right decision, went back to Dubai to complete his contract with the Swedes, and moved back to Canada last December. He was able to do some freelance work for the Swedish government in Toronto but was attracted by an ad for the Scottish Development International position in Calgary. McGovern accepted his application and the family moved to Calgary last month. They are enjoying living in the downtown, where they are able to appreciate the Bow River pathways while getting used to a new environment - and a new climate. David Parker For the Calgary Herald CREDIT: Dean Bicknell, Calgary Herald Adnan Ahmad has moved to Calgary to open a development office for Scotland within the British Trade Office. Page 1 of 2 Print Story - canada.com network 05/12/2012 http://www2.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=5fcae835-7764-4f61-824c-3ca0e...
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Transcript of scotland sets base in the city
Wednesday » December 5 » 2012
Scotland sets up base in city to boost trade
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Calgary's strong energy, investment and cultural ties to Scotland has led the Scottish government to establish a second Canadian base for its trade and investment arm.
Scottish Development International recently reestablished its presence in Canada with the opening of an office in Toronto, headed by Raymond McGovern, its senior vice-president for Canada.
Calgary was chosen as its second base and an office is now open within the British Trade Office space in Suncor Energy Centre. And Calgary has become the new home for its development executive Adnan Ahmad, who just a couple of weeks ago arrived from Dubai via Toronto.
Ahmad was born in Saudi Arabia but returned with his parents to Pakistan where he was educated and received his B. Comm at the University of Punjab and his MBA in information technology at Preston University, both in Lahore.
He then relocated to the United Arab Emirates and began his working career in the oil and gas industry with G.O.P.E. Equipment Sales as country manager responsible for establishing sole distribution/representative agreements for international companies to supply equipment and services in the Gulf region.
In 2006, Ahmad joined the Swedish Trade Council to lead consulting engagements for Swedish companies evaluating, entering and expanding business in the Middle East and North African markets as well as organizing and accompanying delegations.
Based in Dubai, Ahmad had to do a lot of travel with frequent passport stampings in Iran, Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Unstable political conditions and having to renew his working visa every year prompted Ahmad and his wife, Fiza, to think about immigrating to the west. They paid a visit to an uncle in Toronto in 2007 and soon after applied under the Canadian skilled immigrant program.
Ahmad was accepted in 2009 and revisited Toronto with his wife and young son to determine if he had made the right decision, went back to Dubai to complete his contract with the Swedes, and moved back to Canada last December.
He was able to do some freelance work for the Swedish government in Toronto but was attracted by an ad for the Scottish Development International position in Calgary.
McGovern accepted his application and the family moved to Calgary last month. They are enjoying living in the downtown, where they are able to appreciate the Bow River pathways while getting used to a new environment - and a new climate.
David Parker
For the Calgary Herald
CREDIT: Dean Bicknell, Calgary Herald
Adnan Ahmad has moved to Calgary to open a development office for Scotland within the British Trade Office.
Page 1 of 2Print Story - canada.com network
05/12/2012http://www2.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=5fcae835-7764-4f61-824c-3ca0e...
CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.
The importance of Calgary as a base for the organization - a joint venture between the Scottish government and its economic development agencies Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Island Enterprise - is evident in the visit of Fergus Ewing, Scotland's minister for energy, enterprise and tourism this month.
Ewing will be in Calgary Tuesday and Wednesday to help celebrate Scotland week and to meet and strengthen ties with key players in the energy industry and help establish relations with potential and current investors.
Ahmad says Scotland, like Canada, has a great deal of experience in dealing with harsh environments and has a strong focus on sustainability and the environment. Scotland will be well-represented at the Global Petroleum Show at the Stampede grounds on June 12 to 14.
DAVID PARKER APPEARS TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. READ HIS COLUMNS ONLINE AT CALGARYHERALD.COM/BUSINESS. HE CAN BE REACHED AT 403-830-4622 OR E-MAIL [email protected]
© Calgary Herald 2012
Copyright © 2012 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.
Page 2 of 2Print Story - canada.com network
05/12/2012http://www2.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=5fcae835-7764-4f61-824c-3ca0e...
