Canadian firm Blake, Cassels & Graydon has made its way to the Middle East market by forging an association with a Saudi Arabian firm and opening an office in Bahrain. 

Its association with lawyer Saud Al-Ammari in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, will allow it to establish a presence in the Kingdom and an office in Bahrain. Al Ammari–who is licensed to practise in both countries and is a member of the Washington D C Bar–will be the firm's Middle East managing partner.

The firm's double venture in the Gulf is part of a broader strategy which is also looking towards the Indian market. Despite reports earlier this year that Canadian firms did not 'need' to open offices in the Gulf due to low deal flow, the firm's Chair, Brock Gibson, said there was an "increasing flow of business activities within the  GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), and between Canada and the GCC."

"One growing area of opportunity for our Canadian clients is the Middle East and particularly the countries that are part of the GCC," he added.

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