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Mayor Parker is leading a 38-member delegation on the mission. Stops will include the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Doha, Qatar, and Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

“This trip we are focused on, of course, oil and gas, oilfield equipment, chemicals, but also medicine.”

Parker says a major purpose of the mission is to help small-and-medium size business owners to make connections in the region.

“I used to be a small business owner. There are different ways to grow business. You can jump off into a totally new book of business, or you can try to grow in the areas that you’re already strong. We are trying to grow in the areas that we’re already strong.”

The delegation also includes representatives from the Texas Medical Center, the Port of Houston, the Houston Airport System, and the Greater Houston Partnership.