A Scots lawyer whose expertise in international law and business has helped ambitious energy-focused firms break into new markets in the Middle East is relaunching the consultancy that made his name.
Hugh Fraser will re-establish Hugh Fraser International (HFI) this summer after completing a four-year tenure heading up the Dubai office of global law firm Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP.
An agreement allowing Fraser to relaunch the consultancy – which he first set up in the Middle East in 2003 after a term as head of legal at John Wood Group in Aberdeen – takes effect from 1 August 2017. Fraser will primarily be based in Dubai, but will also spend time at the firm’s offices in Aberdeen, Amsterdam and Saudi Arabia.
HFI will specialise in the planning and execution of international business expansion projects for companies with advanced technology and know-how in the energy industry and water sector.
Fraser is currently the managing partner of Andrews Kurth Kenyon’s office in Dubai and helped to establish the firm’s operations in the UAE when it launched in 2013.
Fraser said, “The future for companies seeking to internationalise and establish a foothold in the Middle East and North Africa looks very bright in the short, medium and long term, with a range of niche opportunities opening up there and in a wider range of territories.”
“This is a very exciting time to relaunch the consultancy and to be supporting clients as they strive towards expansion. The MENA region has always been a key focus for HFI, with Saudi Arabia as the key priority market, but we anticipate countries, including Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Iraq, Egypt, as well as East Africa and the East Mediterranean, are about to grow in relevance.”
“I am very pleased to have supported Andrews Kurth Kenyon to establish and grow its Middle East presence over the last four years, and I feel proud to have been a part of the firm’s global success story.”
Fraser has a strong track record in helping companies achieve growth plans in territories in the Middle East and North Africa. The relaunched consultancy will have particular focus on Saudi Arabia – a country which Fraser predicts will experience a rise in joint venture projects over the next five years.
Fraser plans to relaunch HFI with a core team based in Dubai and Aberdeen, and drawing in the expertise and support of specialist consultants and in-country law firms where appropriate.
