The Middle East trade mission includes 120 companies, with 20 from Northern Ireland, the largest contingent of companies from the North ever to form part of an Irish government trade mission.

Companies forming part of the mission include beef baron Larry Goodman's Goodman International and telecoms company Vilicom.

Vilicom recently became the first 100% Irish-owned company to establish a subsidiary in Saudi Arabia.

Martin hopes to see other Irish companies make similar inroads in the Middle East following the trade mission. "It is worth noting that a similar mission to China two years ago took place during a period when exports to that country increased by 42% to Euro906m, " he said.