Irish firm wins deal for Burj Al Arab refit

Irish firm Ulster Carpets said on Tuesday it had secured a contract to supply more than 11,000 sq m of carpet to the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai as part of the hotel's first refurbishment. Ulster Carpets manufactured and supplied Axminster Carpet to the Burj Al Arab, part of the Jumeirah Group, during its initial construction 12 years ago for all the guest corridors and guest suites. Now during its first phase of refurbishment, they have manufactured a further 11,775 sq m of Axminster Carpet for the guest suites at their design and manufacturing facility in Portadown, Northern Ireland. The luxury carpet will be supplied through and installed by MTE Middle East, Ulster Carpets said in a statement. Commenting on the award of the contract, First Minister Rt Hon Peter Robinson MLA said: "To have secured a further contract with this world famous hotel is a tremendous achievement for Ulster Carpets. "It is a clear demonstration of the international reputation of the Portadown based company." Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness added: "Growing our exports is a key priority in our Programme for Government and is an important objective of our visit to the United Arab Emirates and India. Ulster Carpets has demonstrated how a strong export focus can deliver economic growth." Last year Northern Ireland exports to UAE topped £100m, slowly returning to pre-downturn levels. An annual increase of 9.8 percent, the exports to UAE now represent 46 percent of Northern Ireland's exports to the Gulf States which now total £216m. Nicky Coburn, MD of Ulster Carpets, said: "Ulster Carpets have achieved a substantial increase in export markets over the past year. "The Gulf market is our fastest growing region and we are very proud to have been able to manufacture and supply carpet for the second time to this world-renowned luxurious hotel. "We continue to strengthen our position as a global market leader and look forward to further developing this important market."