document

WINTER 06/07

High Growth MarketsBrazil, Russia, India and ChinaStay ahead of the game

Looking to India?Find out why India is anopportunity not to be missed!

InternationalBusiness Day 2007

Meet theBuyerBringing together exportersand overseas customers

Looking to India?Find out why India is anopportunity not to be missed!

InternationalBusiness Day 2007

Meet theBuyerBringing together exportersand overseas customers

High Growth MarketsBrazil, Russia, India and ChinaStay ahead of the game

0. UKTI January Issue 2007:UKTI 26/1/07 10:21

EXPORT MARKETS ARE NOTPOLES APART FROM THE UKWhen research and development companyMotivus were plotting their route to exportPacerpoles, a technically advanced trekkingpole, to New Zealand they turned to UK Trade& Investment (UKTI) to guide them ontheir way.

The Windermere-based company, establishedby keen walkers Alan and Heather Rhodes,were already seeing successful UK sales oftheir anatomically designed trekking poleswhich help the human body work efficientlyover mountain and rough terrain.

“When we began to attract attention fromNew Zealand we knew it was time to call inUKTI for advice. We didn’t really have a clueabout the market and the practicalities ofexporting,” admits Heather, a trainedphysiotherapist who was instrumental in thedesign of the Pacerpoles.

The husband and wife team were introducedto International Trade and Investment AdvisorAndrew Fawcett who provided them with awealth of information about their potentialnew market and expert guidance on theexport process.

Heather says, “The independent and practicaladvice we received from Andrew reallyhelped to steer us away from the pitfalls ofexporting and now we’re successfully sellingPacerpoles in New Zealand.”

With the US market now beckoning, Andrewadvised the couple to join UKTI’s flagshipPassport to Export training programme fornew and inexperienced exporters. They alsoreceived funding to enable them to visit andresearch their potential market and makevaluable contacts in the US.

“Our visit resulted in a promising partnershipbeing established and we are now in theprocess of completing a deal to export there.Having seen how successful exporting canbe, I just wish we’d made use of the UKTIteam sooner,” Heather concludes.

OVERSEAS SUCCESS IS JUST APHONE CALL AWAY

With phonecard producers Nitecrest ofLeyland having recently won a ManufacturingInstitute award for Excellence in InternationalTrade, you’d think they know everything thereis to know about exporting.

But the family business is the first to admitthat their success overseas is thanks in partto the information, advice and practicalsupport they have received – and willcontinue to receive - from UKTI.

Nitecrest was established in 1996 by Ronnieand Sue Hart to produce loyalty and paymentcards and three years later the businessmoved into the phonecard market. Today, theymanufacture more than 15 million cards perweek and during 2006 produced over 750million phonecards – a rise of 250 millioncards over the previous year.

Initially sales were concentrated in the UKbut although Nitecrest could see potential fortheir product further afield they were unsurehow to proceed.

Kathryn Jeffers, production director anddaughter of Ronnie and Sue, says, “Havingnever dealt with export it seemed a dauntingprospect but we were put in touch with UKTIthrough our dealings with the Chamber ofCommerce. With their help we soon realisedthere was great potential for us out there.

“We found the services offered by UKTIextremely useful for building up contacts,whether it be with British Embassysenior trade advisors or like mindedbusiness people.”

On a practical level, UKTI advisors workedwith Nitecrest to develop an action plan,research information, arrange meetings andidentify key contacts in Africa which has nowbecome a key market for the company.

The UKTI’s website (www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk)also serves as a valuable tool for informationabout international trade events to Nitecrest’sexport team who are constantly seeking outnew opportunities for expansion.

Today Nitecrest exports to over 90 countriesworldwide including the Ukraine, Latvia,Libya, Georgia, the US, Australia, Albania,Poland, Iceland and Spain.

A year ago Nitecrest moved into the gift cardmarket initially in the UK, but successfulinroads have already been made overseas –the company recently won a £4 million orderfrom Portugal.

Kathryn Jeffers concludes, “I wouldencourage anyone who is thinking aboutexporting to contact the UKTI as a firstresource and to make full use of the range offacilities offered to small businesses. We lookforward to further expanding our businessoverseas and feel sure that with thecontinued help and support we receive fromUKTI you will be hearing a lot more about us.”

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SUCCESS STORIES


Graduates and professionals from around theworld are forming a BOND with UK companies,thanks to a work placement scheme managedby the British Council.

Despite sharing a name with the world’s mostfamous secret agent, the BOND team arefar from a clandestine organisation, andactively encourage UK businesses andoverseas students to share cultural andbusiness insights.

Since the scheme was introduced in 1998 theBOND team have arranged and managed over600 UK work attachments for overseasstudents and business people, with supportfrom UKTI.

More than 300 companies, both SMEs andlarge corporate organisations, have hostedplacements under this unique project –officially titled the British Council OverseasIndustrial Placement Scheme.

The placements are an enriching experiencefor all concerned – host companies gaincultural and business insights into overseasmarkets, and students gain experience of UKbusiness that will help their career prospects.At the end of the placements when thestudents return home they in turn can raise

awareness of the UK’s companies, productsand services in their own countries, paving theway for positive trade links in the future.

Now, in a new initiative, BOND are working inpartnership with the School of Biological andEarth Sciences at Liverpool John MooresUniversity (LJMU) to forge links with morecompanies across the UK, offering them asimple and cost effective way to manageplacements without the implications of workpermit or headcount issues.

LJMU has an increasing number ofstudents from India and the Far East

taking its Masters programme, and also has anHonours top up programme for Malaysianscience graduates. In a bid to encourage theBOND programme, annual networking eventsare held in Liverpool to give companies thechance to meet the students and interact.

Dr Simon Dowell, Director ofthe School commented: “BONDplacements present a fantasticopportunity for the Malaysianstudents who take our Honoursand Masters programmes asthey provide considerable

added value. Not only will these students returnto Malaysia with degree level qualifications but

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OVERSEAS GRADUATES ‘BOND’WITH UK COMPANIESWITH HELP FROM THE BRITISH COUNCIL

they will also havedeveloped valuable skills and gainedexperience in the workplace.'

As a result of the most recent networking eventheld in June 2006, Avecia, a northern-basedbiotechnology company, has taken twostudents on 12 month BOND placements.

Avecia is a leader in the process developmentand manufacture of biologics and has beenengaged in the development of innovativebioprocesses for over 30 years. It has one ofEurope’s largest cGMP contract manufacturingfacilities for recombinant protein biologics andhas worked with many biotech andpharmaceutical companies across the world.

John Hinton, R&D Systems Manager, said"Avecia is delighted and proud to be the firstbiotech company to be involved in the BONDscheme. We were impressed with the qualityand enthusiasm of the students when wevisited LJMU. Our two students, Rachana andJia have settled in really well, and while it is stillearly days, Avecia hopes to be involved in theBOND scheme for many years to come"

Jia Vern Loh from Malaysia said “Havinghands-on experience has allowed me to putinto practice what I have learned at university.This could not have been achieved withoutbeing given the opportunity by Avecia, LJMUand British Council who together make theBOND scheme so successful.”

Rachana Shah from India commented “oncompleting my Masters at LJMU I was giventhe opportunity to work with AveciaBiotechnology under the BOND scheme. I amgrateful to Dr. Patricia Burke (LJMU), JohnHinton (Avecia) and Jan Schraibman (BritishCouncil), who helped me through the process. Ithas been a wonderful experience for me and Iam really enjoying my work at Avecia.”

The next networking event will be held at LJMUin June 2007. To register your interest or findout more about the BOND Scheme, pleasecontact Jan Schraibman at the British Council:[email protected]

The British Council – creating opportunity forpeople worldwide www.britishcouncil.org


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LOOKING TO INDIA?CALL IN THE SPECIALISTS

“Ignore this opportunity at your peril”Sandra Brusby, Chief Executive of Business Link Cheshire and Warrington

It’s the seventh largest country on the planet,with one of the fastest growing economies inthe world. But when it comes to businessIndia remains uncharted territory for themajority of UK companies.

Now one of the best-known business leadersin the North West has warned UK companiesto ignore India at their own risk.

Sandra Brusby, Chief Executive of BusinessLink Cheshire and Warrington, described thebusiness opportunities in India as “vast”.

“This is a country whose population isincreasing every year by an amountequivalent to the whole population ofAustralia,” she says. “India will be a majoreconomic power, and the growth ofIndian commerce is something that cannotbe overlooked.”

Mrs Brusby, who spearheads the South AsiaBusiness Unit, adds, “Business leaders mustseize the opportunities being created in Indiaand realise their international ambitions.

“India is a vibrant country, full of drive,enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit, andEnglish is widely spoken so language barriersdo not exist. Ignore this opportunity at yourperil," she warns.

Surprisingly only 1% of the UK’s total exports(around £3.9 billion) currently go to India,despite many analysts predictions that thecountry’s economy will only be overshadowedby the US and China by 2020.

One problem is a commonly held perceptionof India as primarily a place to out-sourcebusiness operations and manufacturing inorder to compete on a shrinking global stage.Less widely known is the country’sincreasing potential.

There are 200 million middle class people inIndia. The property and consumer marketsare beginning to boom, with a growingdemand for high quality products andprestigious brands.

There is huge potential for proactive Britishcompanies to increase their export trade in arange of sectors, and the South AsiaBusiness Unit can assist North Westbusinesses by offering focused support andguidance to improve a company’s chances oftrading there successfully.

Since it’s inception, the Unit has alreadygenerated excellent results in forgingimproved trade links between the North Westand South Asia, bringing together theinternational experience of a team of UKTIstaff and a variety of private sector partners.The Unit also has strong links with the IndoBritish Partnership Network which is headedby Karan Bilimoria, Chief Executive ofCobra Beer.

Warrington based Croft Engineering Services,a specialist manufacturer of wire meshperforated plate filters, received theirfirst order from India for £20,000 inDecember 2005.

“Like many people we overlooked India asthey have a reputation for being very versatilemanufacturers, but things are working outvery well and we have had several orderssince,” said Neil Burns, who set up thebusiness with his brother Mark 20 years ago.

“We’d recommend services such as trademissions to anybody interested in tackling anew export market,” he adds. “They enableyou to go to a country armed with theknowledge of how a business works there.”

Cheshire-based personal leadershipconsultant and speaker Olivia Stefanino isalso discovering India’s potential.

“Doing business abroad is aboutrelationships. As a result of our visit to Delhilast year and the excellent contacts I made, Iwas in a strong position to persuade my bookpublisher to produce an edition of my newbook, ‘Be Your Own Guru’, in India. You canimagine my excitement when he came backwith a ‘yes’! “Now I can’t wait to visitMumbai in March, when we’ll be celebratingthe official launch of the Indian edition,”she said.

The Mumbai trip is one of three trademissions being organised next year by theBusiness Unit. For more information phonenow on 0845 345 4025.or email [email protected]


CHEMICAL REACTION

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Cheshire and Warrington’s Business Ventureteam has been busy both here and overseasdeveloping opportunities for the flourishingNorth West chemical industry.

Over the last year Tricia Francis and NickGriffin of the Venture’s Specialist ChemicalsTeam have been working with UKTI,Chemicals Northwest and the ChemicalIndustries Association showcasing thecapabilities of North West chemicalcompanies to potential partners acrossthe globe.

Tricia explains, “Right now industry has itsnose to the grindstone dealing withincreasing competition from the Far East andthe impending European REACH regulation in2007. I see our role as grasping everyavailable opportunity to raise awareness ofthe expertise and innovation within the regionand making a company’s life slightly easierby either bringing the buyer to them orcreating opportunities for them to meetnew buyers overseas.”

The North West boasts the largest regionalcentre for chemical manufacture in the UKwith 800 organisations, including 500manufacturers, involved in the sector. Theregion’s chemical industry employs 51,000highly skilled employees, and 150,000 inspecialist support roles. It generates around£10 billion of sales and contributes £3 billionto the regional economy.

Chemicals are also the North West’s largestexporter. Over 60% of its output is exported todestinations worldwide.

Cheshire and Warrington Business Venturehave been involved in several UK Trade &Investment supported events in 2006 rangingfrom a “Meet the Chemicals Overseas Buyer”at Old Trafford Stadium in May - where it ishoped that the £2.5 million of businessachieved at the 2003 event will be matched.Pavilions at various speciality chemicalsoverseas exhibitions with Informex USAcoming up shortly in February and supportingthe Chemical Industries Association withtheir inward delegation of Japanesepharmaceutical companies to the region.

For further information regarding forthcomingactivities contact Cheshire and WarringtonBusiness Venture at [email protected] orcall 0845 345 4025

JAPANA senior delegation from the Japanesepharmaceutical sector recently visited theNorth West to forge links with partnercompanies. Japanese Pharmaceutical Lawprovides extensive new outsourcingopportunities for foreign companies and theregion offers high calibre manufacturersalready feeding into the pharmaceuticalsector. One-to-one discussions with 10 NorthWest-based companies at Daresbury Scienceand Innovation Park were organised togetherwith site visits to Contract Chemicals andINEOS Fluor.

The delegation was also welcomed by HRHThe Duke of York, Special Representative forUKTI, during his visit to INEOS ChlorVinyl.

BARCELONANorth West chemical companies haveattended In-Cosmetics, the leadinginternational event for raw materials andingredients in the cosmetics, toiletries andpersonal care industry, thanks to the supportof UKTI and Cheshire and WarringtonBusiness Venture.

The cosmetics and personal care sector is adeveloping market for many North Westcompanies, so Tricia Francis negotiated ashared UK stand to explore this sub-sector.Three North West companies took part:Borregaard UK, Contract Chemicals andPentagon Chemicals. Chris Rainford ofPentagon Chemicals said: "The UKTI standmade the cost and organisation of attendingthe show feasible. It was also interesting toshare the approaches the other UKcompanies on the stand were taking in amarket which is very new and differentfor us."

REACHREACH (Registration, Evaluation andAuthorisation of Chemicals) is likely to comeinto force in Spring 2007 and requires allchemicals manufactured in, or imported into,the EU in a volume of one tonne or more peryear to be registered. For more information onhow this may affect your organisationplease contact Chemicals Northweston 01928 515678.

For further information contact Cheshire andWarrington Business Venture [email protected] or call 0845 345 4025.


North West exporters hoping to stay ahead ofthe game in business cannot afford to ignorethe potential of what are now known asthe ‘BRIC’ countries – Brazil, Russia, Indiaand China.

As the balance of the world economy shiftsthese markets are assuming an increasinglyprominent place on the world stage.

What they have in common is both their vastpotential and the challenges they present,which is where the help of an InternationalTrade Advisor can be invaluable.

A key aspect of the new UKTI fiveyear strategy ‘Prosperity in aChanging World’ is the focus onhigh growth markets as part of awider strategy to position UKbusinesses to adapt to theeffects of globalization and makethe most of our products andservices overseas.

Below is an overview of thefour markets…

BRAZILBrazil is the UK’s major Latin Americanmarket, and we are currently one of thecountry’s key trading partners.A sophisticated and growing middle class anda broad industrial base make Brazil a worldmarket of huge opportunity, and if a productor service is generally competitive elsewhere,it will do well in Brazil.

The government is overseeing a programmeof privatisation and deregulation, providingnew markets for both goods and services.Current major exports to Brazil includepharmaceutical products and instruments,and power generation and electricalmachinery, and many large UK companieshave well-established operations inthe country.

Brazil also has a thriving aerospace industry,and the country is the fourth largestmanufacturer of space satellites, the secondlargest producer of mobile phones and thefifth largest maker of cars in the world.Brazilians are also pioneers in the up andcoming biofuel industry, being the first toconvert sugar from crops into alcohol foruse in cars.

RUSSIARussia is one of the fastest growingeconomies in the world, offering huge longterm potential and an enormous market.Russian territory extends across 11 timezones! There are major opportunities forNorth West companies in most sectors,and Western expertise and products arein high demand.

Over recent years, trade between Russiaand the UK has increased significantly, andthis is expected to continue. The Russiangovernment is pursuing an extensiveprogramme of economic reform that iscreating the conditions for long-termeconomic growth.

Moscow is the seat of government andacts as a distribution centre for the wholecountry. Major local industries include thepower sector, machine building, food,and chemicals.

St. Petersburg is also an important businesshub, being a key port and an area for machinebuilding, food, power industries and lightmanufacturing. City links betweenManchester and St. Petersburg provide anexcellent opportunity for North Westcompanies to develop a network of businesscontacts there.

INDIAWith a population of over 1 billion and risinglevels of wealth, India is the 2nd fastestgrowing major economy in the world with aGDP growth rate of 8.9% at the end of the 1stQuarter of 2006/7 and a potential powerhousethat UK companies cannot afford to ignore.In 2003 UK-India bilateral trade crossed the£5 billion barrier and the UK is now India’slargest trading partner. Major items of UKexports to India include non-metallicminerals, gold, power generating andtelecom equipment, transport equipmentand industrial machinery.

Liberalisation of the economy continues, withtrade barriers largely removed, and the UKhas strong ties with India. English is widelyspoken and British companies are ideallyplaced to take advantage of the growingexport and investment market.

The International Trade Solutions teamtogether with Cheshire and Warrington areorganizing a NW Market Visit to India inFebruary, which will be an ideal opportunityfor businesses to gain a foothold in thisimportant new market. (see panel)

STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME!HIGH GROWTH MARKETS – BRAZIL, RUSSIA, INDIA AND CHINA

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CHINAGreater China is one of the fastest growingmarkets in the world. The vast economy isextremely diverse, making everything fromtoys to washing machines and offeringenormous opportunities for UK companies.The GDP on the mainland is set to double inthe next 10 years, and Chinese middle classeshave huge spending power, spendingUS$2 billion on luxury items last year.

Government spending on infrastructure hasstimulated construction materials sectors andimproved inland access. Telecoms, IT andother hi-tech sectors and reprocessingindustries are seeing rapid development.

North West towns and cities enjoy stronglinks with China, and 2006 marks the 20thanniversary of the relationship betweenManchester and Wuhan city. Local firms arekeen to seize the opportunities available inthis increasingly important market, and thereis a wide range of companies active in China,coming from an assortment of differentsectors, from manufacturing to trainingand education.

DON’T GET LEFT BEHINDFORTHCOMING TRADE MISSIONS TO HELP YOURCOMPANY’S EXPORT BUSINESS

In coming months we have a range ofactivities including NW Market Visit to India,and a stand at the CeBIT 2007 exhibition inGermany. Providing a range of usefulinformation and contacts, they also offer anexcellent opportunity for networking withother North West exporters. Key events tolook out for are:

INDIA MARKET VISIT17TH-24TH FEBRUARY 2007This market visit is designed to enable NorthWest exporters to explore new opportunitiesin India. Starting in Mumbai, the market visititinerary is designed to offer a structuredgroup programme and flexibility subjectto your individual requirements andmarket identification.

GREATER CHINA ROADSHOW16TH FEBRUARY 2007This year’s North West Roadshow was ahighlight of the annual events calendar –and next year’s event promises to be evenbetter. Learn from the experts and hear theexperiences of local companies who havesuccessfully developed business inGreater China.

Coinciding with Chinese New Yearcelebrations, the event culminates in anexclusive banquet dinner to welcome in theYear of the Pig!

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DAY14TH MARCH 2007For companies looking to take advantage ofopportunities in high growth markets. Forfurther datails see pages 7 and 8.


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The North West must think globally. We needto make sure we seize new opportunities ifwe are to keep the region well positioned inthe changing world economy. Building on thesuccess of previous years’ events,International Business Day 2007 will set adynamic agenda to help North Westcompanies, such as yours, achieve yourinternational ambitions.

Internationalisation is key to businesssuccess. We aim to raise the level of theNorth West’s performance – helping the bestcompanies get better and others to improve.

International Business Day 2007 is certain toprove just as popular as it has done inprevious years. This year it will be held atManchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium.Lucy Meacock of ‘Granada Reports’ fame willhost the event, which will feature a lively mixof guest speakers, topics for discussion andundoubtedly, a wealth of success stories.We are delighted to announce that Sir DigbyJones, the governmet's 'skills envoy' andformer Director General of the CBI, willdeliver the Keynote Address.

There will be two Panel Sessions during theday and our experts will focus in one sessionon the opportunities available to North Westbusiness in the Brazil, Russia, India and China(BRIC) markets. The other session will focuson the following technical aspects of doingbusiness in these high growth markets:

• Securing intellectual property rights andmanaging product liability risks

• Finance for international trade andmanaging foreign exchange risks

• Developing successful overseasstrategic alliances

• Managing and motivating overseas agentsand distibutors

There will also be achance to meet a selectionof our own UKTI trade andinvestment experts from keymarkets overseas to discusstrading opportunities.

As demand for places is likely to be high andplaces are strictly limited, please registeryour interest in attending by completing andreturning the attached business reply slip assoon as possible.

INTERNATIONALBUSINESS DAY 2007Now an established annual eventin the North West calendar, thisyear’s International Business Daywill take place on 14 March 2007


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Meeting people face to face is one of the best ways of generatingnew business. And UKTI has helped hundreds of North Westcompanies establish new global business relationships by bringingtogether exporters and overseas customers through an innovativeprogramme of eight international events entitled Meet the Buyer.

Meet the Buyer turns the traditional exhibition format on its headby bringing together global buyers and sellers but placing theformer rather than the latter on the stands. UK companies lookingfor new markets can then present their products and servicesdirectly to senior decision makers from major overseas buyers, allof whom have been checked and pre-qualified.

The events, organised by UKTI and supported by the North WestRegional Development Agency (NWDA), ran between 2004 and2006. They focused on developing the regional economy acrosseight important sectors - automotive, environmental technologies,healthcare, energy, aerospace, workwear, food, drink andchemicals. Highlights of the programme were the aerospaceand automotive Meet the Buyer events, which clearly demonstratethe advanced engineering and materials capabilities of theNorth West.

Meet the Buyer has generated over £20m worth of new exportbusiness for more than 320 North West SMEs who took part,making the programme UKTI’s biggest and most successful eventseries to date.

It has resulted in the establishment of new international businessrelationships in over 50 overseas markets for North West suppliersand over £45,000 of new international trade for every £1,000invested in the programme.

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Ian McCartney, Minister of State for Trade,Investment and Foreign Affairs cites Meet theBuyer as an excellent example of partnershipworking which is ensuring the North West isfit to meet the challenge of competing inemerging markets.

He says, “The Meet the Buyer programme isanother example of the North-West leadingthe rest of the country. It is clearly boostingthe North West’s international tradeperformance by linking first time andestablished exporters with new overseascustomers and ensuring the North West is fitto meet the continuing challenge ofcompeting in emerging markets.

“The excellent partnership between UKTI andthe NWDA has helped deliver £20 million realbenefits to the local business community andlocal jobs. I applaud their initiative indemonstrating the strength of the North Westregion’s knowledge-based sectors on aglobal stage.”

Three North West firms who benefited fromthe programme are Contamination ControlApparel from Bolton, Maineport in EllesmerePort and Parsons Brinkerhoff basedin Chester.

Contamination Control Apparel produceshort-life workwear, both disposable andhigh-visibility and attended the Workwear,Protective Clothing and Performance FabricsMeet the Buyer event in November 2005.Ian Clayton, Business Manager says, “We’realready well-established in our market placeso it is not easy for us to find serious newprospects. The Meet the Buyer eventintroduced us to several new companies in avery time-efficient way. Three of them havealready become customers, which shows thequality of the organisers’ groundwork.”

Parsons Brinkerhoff are an environmentalconsultancy based in Chester, providingadvice related to pollution prevention,planning and likely environmental impact onproperty issues – ranging in size from singlehouse sites to nuclear power stations.

They attended the EnvironmentalTechnologies event and Bryan Hughes, thecompany’s Environmental Principal, says hefound the day worthwhile. “The event waswell arranged, and the preparatory event thenight before was also useful,” he says. “Itwas good to meet people from both UK andoverseas companies that we didn’t havecontact with previously and we hope tomaintain these contacts with a view todoing business in the future.”

Maineport are a specialist fabricationcompany, assembling equipment used in theoil, gas and nuclear industries. They attendedthe Energy Meet the Buyer event and agreedthat it was a good networking opportunity.David Kinvig, Sales Director, states, “Wewould recommend Meet the Buyer events toothers. We attended the briefing eventbeforehand, looked at the list of companiesand decided exactly who we wanted to see,then met up with them at the event. It proveduseful for us and worked well because itcatered for a specific market, gatheringeveryone together in the same place and atthe same time.”

Clive Drinkwater, North West RegionalDirector for UKTI, notes that Meet the Buyerwell exceeded expectations in terms ofoutcome. “Each event was preceded bybespoke sales training from a team of UKTIand industry experts, enabling firms tomaximise the number of export sales leadsmade at the events,” he says.

“The figures for new export sales generatedare very impressive and likely to increase asbusiness relationships formed during theMeet the Buyer programme continue toprovide new export orders for the companiesconcerned, increasing the competitiveness ofNorthwest SMEs.

“The region has now improved its position tothird in value of exports, behind only Londonand the South East, and is one of only threeregions to contribute positively to the UKbalance of trade.”

Clive adds, “We look forward to workingclosely with the NWDA on phase 2 of theprogramme, which begins with an EnergyMeet the Buyers in March 2007.”

Steven Broomhead, NWDA Chief Executive, isalso delighted with the success of the Meetthe Buyer programme. “It’s been a hugesuccess and we are very pleased to be amajor supporter,” he comments. “This uniqueprogramme of events has provided aninvaluable networking opportunity for manybusinesses across the region and generatedsignificant export orders for a range ofNorthwest companies.”

“The key to any Meet the Buyer event isbringing in the right profile of buyer - with arange of requirements and real decision-making power,” concludes Andrew Wilson,Regional Manager at Business to BusinessExhibitions, which was selected to organisethe North West programme. “Together withUK Trade and Investment we have attracted atotal of 219 major buyers into the UK,presenting significant international salesopportunities to North West basedcompanies, on their own doorstep."

Highlights of the programme werethe aerospace and automotive‘Meet the Buyer’ events.


JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

25th January 07 - Russia - Opportunities and Challenges:Contact: Alex Crook for details via Tel: 0161 237 4035 orEmail: [email protected].

31st January 07 - Nordic Networking:Networking - Business - Contact - Interaction - FriendshipContact: Alex Crook for details via Tel: 0161 237 4035 orEmail: [email protected].

16th February 07 - Greater China Roadshow:Contact Julia Powell for details via Tel: 0161 237 4464 orEmail: [email protected].

16th February 07 - NW - Seizing Greater China & ChineseNew Year Business Dinner- supported by UKTI/ITS/CBBC

17th-24th February 07 - Market Visit to India:Contact Julia Powell for details via Tel: 0161 237 4464 orEmail: [email protected].

14th March 2007 - International Business Day:Contact: Kieth Ditchfield for details via Tel: 01925 400190or Email: [email protected]

15th-21st March 2007 - CeBIT 2007 ICT Exhibition,Hanover, Germany:Contact: Alex Crook for details via Tel: 0161 237 4035 orEmail: [email protected].

19th-23rd March 07 -NW Trade Mission to Australia (Avalon)- delivered by Liverpool Chamber of Commerce

20th-24th January 07Market Visit to Advantage ValleyAdvantage Valley - US Judith KyleTel: 0845 345 4025 Email: [email protected]

7th-8th February 07 - Seminars on Potentialopportunities in Austria and Switzerland"British Consulate General - Geneva, Switzerland"Tel: 0845 345 4025 Email: [email protected]

13th-16th February 07INFORMEX - Chemical ExhibitionSan Francisco - Tricia FrancisTel: 0845 345 4025 Email: [email protected]

17th-24th February 07Trade Mission to India - Multi SectorMumbai & Orissa - Kevin Finucane / Paul WilcoxTel: 0845 345 4025 Email: [email protected]

4th-10th March 07Women's Trade Mission to IndiaMumbai - Lyn BurgessTel: 0845 345 4025 Email: [email protected]

17th-19th April 07in-cosmetics - chemical sector exhibition, ParisTricia Francis Tel: 0845 345 4025Email: [email protected]

18th-20th April 07CPhI Japan - chemical sector exhibtionTricia Francis Tel: 0845 345 4025Email: [email protected]

23rd-27th April 07Fine chemicals trade mission to JapanTricia Francis Tel: 0845 345 4025Email: [email protected]

10th-13th January 07Heimtextil Exhibition, Frankfurt, GermanyMike Connor - [email protected]: 07966 308 454

15th-18th January 07 - Market Visit to WarsawSimon Howard - [email protected]: 07966 308 438

25th January 07Seminar: Legal aspects of doing business in the USHaydock Park RacecourseClare Wilde - [email protected]: 0151 649 4574

w/c 5th February 07Market visit to Prague, Czech RepublicMike Connor - [email protected]: 07966 308 454

7th & 8th February 07 - UKTI Market Visit to Alicante,Spain for British Food & Drink RoadshowElena Enciso - [email protected]: 0151 227 1234

17th-21st February 07 - Market Visit to Dubai, UAEMike Cobb - [email protected]: 07966 308 453

5th-9th March 07Games Developer Conference, San Francisco, USAMargaret Bourke - [email protected]: 07966 308 481

19th-23rd March 07UKTI NW Trade Mission to Australia (Avalon)Alison Fisher - [email protected] 227 1234

20th-22nd March 07 - ISG Sector Group Trade Mission toF.O.S.E. Exhibition, Washington, USASimon Howard - [email protected]: 07966 308 438

UKTI NORTH WEST REGIONCALENDAR OF EVENTS AT HOME AND OVERSEAS

OVERSEAS LOCATIONS

GREATER MANCHESTER: CHESHIRE & WARRINGTON: GREATER MERSEYSIDE:

15th-18th Jan:Poland, Warsaw

20th-24th Jan:U.S Advantage Valley

10th-13th Jan:Germany, Frankfurt

15th-21st March:Germany, Hanover

7th-8th Feb:Austria & Switzerland

13th-16th Feb:U.S. San Francisco

w/c 5th Feb:Czech Rep, Prague

17th-21st Feb:Dubai

7th-8th Feb:Spain, Alicante

17th-19th April:France, Paris

18th-20th April:23rd-27th April:Japan

19th-23rd March:Austrailia

5th-9th March:U.S. San Francisco

20th-22nd March:U.S, Washington

17th-24th Feb:India, Mumbai4th-10th MarchIndia, Mumbai


document

Documents

us market

phonecard market

potential market

potentialnew market

overseas success

heather rhodes

uk trade investment

meet thebuyerbringing