Dear Members and Friends,
One of the benefits of working in Government is that, at least sometimes, you have advance knowledge of what’s going to be announced before it hits the press. When it may seem that nothing much is happening, or the horizon is clouded by (often competing) lobbying activities, you know that hard work is going on behind the scenes that, sooner or later, culminates in an announcement for which (as the very British phrase goes) the “pitch” may have been “rolled” in advance or which sometimes may come as a surprise. With the Budget still just under three weeks away, that’s where we are in the UK right now. Our conversations around Westminster and Whitehall suggest that over the coming weeks and months we will see a series of detailed announcements, some perhaps radical, others which will appear more as a course correction, an injection of strategic rigour and/or an improvement in process. At BEI we are working on a series of events which will, I hope, shed light on the direction of travel. Moreover, we at Strategy International are working to contribute to the Government’s ongoing reviews - from defence and trade to international development - some of the insights we gain from working with members and stakeholders. Watch this space.
Keeping our eyes on the bigger picture, we - like our members - also work closely with national and international funders well beyond London. This week we were grateful to a senior delegation from EBRD, for a detailed set of presentations on the Banks’s programmes and procurement processes. We are looking forward to doing more with EBRD in the coming months.
Our engagement with the funding community beyond the UK continues on Monday 21 October with a packed day with USAID, at which we are looking forward to seeing many members. For those who are planning to attend and who want to book 1-2-1 sessions, please email Sofia (sp@britishexpertise.org). And - with apologies - if you’re already written to Max (who’s currently away), please re-send your message to Sofia, to help us to ensure nothing falls between the cracks.
Next week BEI will as always be very active - but largely away from Grafton Street. Sasha will be in Baku with a number of our members for the Baku Build exhibition, just a few days before COP29. On the subject of COP29, I had the pleasure on Tuesday to chair a session of the British Foreign Policy Group with the Ambassador of Azerbaijan. Do keep an eye on BFPG’s website (www.bfpg.co.uk) for future events.
Meanwhile, Luisa will be joining DBT’s education-focused trade mission in Central Asia exploring new opportunities for us to pursue. And, as I write, I am also in the air en route to Thessaloniki where, along with BFPG Senior Research Fellow Rebecca Harding, I will be attending the Greek-British Symposium for which BFPG has contributed a paper on supply chains. If any member would like to discuss how BFPG’s expert team can support your research and thought leadership, do let me know.
Finally, a couple of opportunities from BCG for members with an interest in Cambodia. Next Friday, 18 October at 0800-0930 UK time, they are holding a virtual event on “Advancing UK Interests in Cambodia: A Mobilisation Strategy Forum on Green and Growth Priorities,” facilitated by the Growth Gateway Programme and the British Embassy with full support from the UK Government. This will focus on Cambodia’s infrastructure landscape - from connectivity to renewables and utilities, including the Green special Economic Zone - and include new information on high-potential projects for UK participation, with deep dives covering logistics, railway and port projects. If you’d like to join, please express your interest registering at the following link: Event Registration Form by Oct 16 2024.
More specifically, we have been alerted to a 125 MWh Battery and Energy Storage System (BESS) project, valued at over $100 million, involving the design, engineering, supply, installation, and commissioning of a battery storage system aimed at enhancing grid stability and integrating renewable energy over the next 15 years. The tender is currently open, with submissions due by early November. We’d be happy to pass on contact details at the Embassy/BCG to any members with an interest.
Despite all the travels, we are still (physically or virtually) here for our members. Do get in touch if we can help.
David Landsman
Executive Chairman
British Expertise International
Recordings of recent past events:
- 10th September 2024: Ethiopia: Market Opportunity Overview
- 11th September 2024: Meeting the Global Demand for Biodiversity Credits
- 26th September 2024: Scaling Infrastructure Decarbonisation Through Digital in Emerging Markets
- 3rd October 2024: Innovations in Insurance for Climate Adaptation
- 8th October 2024: Working with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (Note that the recording is not yet available for this event, however, the slides are).
Key events coming up include the following:
- 14th – 17th October 2024: Azerbaijan: UK Infrastructure Trade Mission & UK Pavilion at Baku Build - Join a UK Trade Mission to Azerbaijan and participate in the UK Pavilion at the Caspian’s largest infrastructure exhibition – Baku Build. The trade mission, in partnership with the British Embassy in Baku, will include B2B and B2G activities, a networking reception at the British Ambassador’s residence, speaking opportunities and participation in the UK Pavilion at the exhibition. Places are limited to ensure each participating company receives our full attention. Participation in the British Pavilion is free of charge. Delegates will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs. British Expertise International will charge an administration fee of £300+VAT for each participant. For further information and to receive the application form, please get in touch with Sasha Barnes at ab@britishexpertise.org. The administration fee will be payable upon signing the application form.
- 21st October 2024 09:00 – 16:00 BST: Engaging with USAID – UK Partners Day - Join us for our yearly BEI – USAID, UK Partners Day. We are delighted to be joined for a one-day event by senior representatives from USAID as well as welcome back Mike Shanley from Konektid International. Our speakers will run a series of panel discussions in the morning followed by an afternoon breakout session and 1-to-1 sessions which can be booked individually with each of the speakers via Sofia, sp@britishexpertise.org. With apologies, if you’re already written to Max (who’s currently away), please re-send your message to Sofia, to help us to ensure nothing falls between the cracks.
- 23rd October 2024 09:00 – 11:00 BST: Defining Localisation - Join us for this event to launch the second edition of our GESI Report, updated with case studies from new BEI members and a new section of the report which highlights the importance of localisation. A panel discussion will follow, at which BEI members will discuss recent innovative approaches they have taken to localisation.
- 23rd October 2024 15:00 – 16:30 BST: Argentina - Market Opportunity Overview - Argentina is a valuable trade and investment partner for the UK due to its diverse economy, rich natural resources and strategic location in South America. We are delighted to welcome DBT colleagues to share insights on Argentina’s strategic priorities and resulting opportunities for UK plc, in sectors including Infrastructure, Security and Mining.
- 24th October 2024 12:00 – 13:00 BST: Water Resilience Working Group - The UK has a distinctive offer and world-leading expertise in sustainable and climate-resilient water services. This group, in partnership with the UK government, IFIs and other key stakeholders, aims to define that offer and leverage it to increase exports.
- 5th November 2024 15:00– 16:30 GMT: Caribbean Development Bank – Education & Social Inclusion - This event is our annual webinar with experts in Education and Social Development from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), to explore upcoming opportunities and priorities in the education and social development sectors.
- 7th November 2024 16:00 – 19:00 GMT: Climate Change Networking Evening - Join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation, potential new partnerships and the chance to meet with members of our Climate Change Working Group. Our keynote speaker this time is Andy Blackhall, Managing Director of WRc. Andy will reflect on his career and his hopes for the future.
- 12th November 2024 09:00 – 10:30 GMT: Tanzania – Market Opportunity Overview - Tanzania offers a range of exciting opportunities to UK organisations in sectors including energy, infrastructure, mining, climate-resilient agriculture and skills development, as well as opportunities in the Blue Economy in Zanzibar. We are delighted to welcome a stellar panel including the new UK High Commissioner to Tanzania alongside her counterpart in the UK, as well as speakers from the Tanzania Investment Centre and UK DBT.
- 12th November 2024 15:00 – 16:00 GMT: FCDO Development Director: Sierra Leone - Join us as we host Alex MacLean, Development Director in Sierra Leone for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), who will present FCDO’s development strategy, programming and pipeline of opportunities in Sierra Leone. Alex will also be joined by sector directors from the British Embassy in Sierra Leone for the Q&A part of the session.
- 14th November 2024 10:00 – 11:30 GMT: Morocco – Market Opportunity Overview - Wrapping up an eventful and exciting year in UK-Morocco bilateral trade relations, we are thrilled to welcome back our colleagues from the Department for Business and Trade to share updates on recent UK achievements and future opportunities.
- 14th November 2024 15:00– 16:30 GMT: COP16 Outcomes - The Sixteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) is taking place in Cali, Colombia between 21st October and 1st November 2024. Our panel will reflect on their experiences at COP16, distil some of their key takeaways, and discuss their hopes for the future.
- 26th November 2024 09:00 – 10:30 GMT: India – Opportunities in Disaster Risk Resilience - Weather related disasters such as extreme heat, droughts and massive flooding are increasing in frequency and intensity in India. Ahead of a DBT trade mission, explore key opportunities in various aspects of Disaster Risk Resilience in the Indian market.
- 28th November 2024 09:00 – 10:15 GMT: Working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia - This online event on Working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia will feature a panel of BEI members sharing their experiences of working with DFAT. The panel of existing suppliers to DFAT and former colleagues who worked as part of Australian Aid will share tips and tricks on how to win contracts, how to prepare for funding from DFAT, and the challenges organisations may encounter suppliers.
- 3rd December 2024 09:30 – 10:30 GMT: India Education Deep Dive with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) - Join us for a webinar deep dive into education opportunities in India led by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). The DBT Education team in India will provide us with an overview and insights into the key education sector opportunities available for British businesses, advice on cultural understanding, and tips for navigating the Indian market.
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