Dear Members and Friends,
To use Lenin’s famous dictum, these have been weeks when decades happen. Hard on the heels of the Trump Administration’s decision to cut vast swathes of USAID’s programmes, we really know that something has changed in the world when it is a Labour Government in the UK that has considered it necessary to reduce rather than increase the 0.5% of GNP for international development in order to fund increased defence spending. We are non-partisan and I’m not making a political point, but simply acknowledge how we need new models to understand the world and our place in it. I’m very conscious that for many of our members these developments have direct and painful impacts on your business and people, all the more so as they have come suddenly, one upon another.
The dust has yet to settle, for you and also for us as we try to understand how best we can support our members. Some of us were fortunate this week to hear some wise advice from former Labour Cabinet Minister Charles Clarke, who shared his views on how to make the case for international development as well as the untapped opportunities in promoting UK education internationally, which is of course one of BEI’s priorities.
There are still some uncertainties about the dimensions of the changes on both sides of the Atlantic. We don’t know what US foreign assistance will look like once their review is complete. As far as the UK is concerned we will see whether and when the Government returns some of the funding currently going to the Home Office for the costs of supporting asylum seekers and equally whether any development programmes will be picked up from other budgets. We need to look forward. This means that, while BEI keeps well clear of lobbying, we are pressing ahead with the work we have started to highlight the value of international development programmes for government priorities including growth, security, migration and climate. We will be sharing some of this with members for your views and inputs in the next few days. The decisions of the last few days strongly reinforce the sense that public opinion will remain crucial to the future of development funding. When the British people are so individually generous, for example in responding to charity appeals, are there not stronger arguments the sector can make for the kind of programmes which fall to public funding? Our colleagues at BFPG are the experts on public opinion and we are looking to work with them on new projects to respond to the emerging situation.
Meanwhile, our event on 11 March, initially designed to focus on the prospects “after USAID”, will now provide an opportunity for a broader look into the new world and how to create opportunities out of change. We will of course continue to work closely with FCDO to ensure as smooth a path as possible for existing programmes and to contribute towards a strategic approach for the future. But we will also be doing even more to facilitate dialogue with other bilateral donors as well as the MDBs and to extend our activities further with philanthropies and private capital. We’d very much welcome your input in all these areas.
At the same time, we are also seeing many new opportunities for our members from public projects in fast-growing markets. Only this week, we have “travelled” (ie welcomed delegations) from Brazil in water to Mongolia in transport infrastructure. In these sectors, and in education, we are constantly on the lookout for partners to help us present the opportunities and I’m delighted to say that, from DBT to a number of foreign governments, they continue to seek engagement with our members.
On Monday, our visitors from Brazil focused on the potential opportunities, collaborations, and partnerships for UK expertise in the water sector. On Tuesday, we hosted an online event on Driving Operational Effectiveness in International Schools, which explored British organisations’ key role in raising education standards, building school capacity, and opening schools abroad. We were joined by speakers Dr Rita Stephan, Education Consultant Middle East at Etio; Noelle Buick, Director Middle East and Africa at EDT; Thea Wiltshire, EdTech, Schools, Early Years, and SEND Specialist at the Department for Business and Trade; and Jamie Large, Director, Ardingly College International.
On Wednesday, with over 100 people joining us, we were delighted to host the Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, HE Amarsaikhan Sainbuyan who was joined by HE Battumur Enkhsukh, Ambassador of Mongolia to the United Kingdom, and HE Fiona Blyth, British Ambassador to Mongolia and a number of Mongolian and British speakers to discuss how UK expertise can contribute to Mongolia’s fast growing economy, transport infrastructure, and megaprojects.
Finally on Thursday Evening, following our International Development Heads of Business Lunch with Rt Hon Charles Clarke, we hosted February’s Climate Change Networking Evening with keynote speaker Andy Blackhall, Managing Director at WRc. Andy reflected on his career in the water sector, exploring the innovative work done by WRc and his hopes for the future.
Next Monday, we will be hosting an event on decarbonisation in Kazakhstan, exploring opportunities for UK companies to unlock investment opportunities. We will be joined by a range of speakers from our UK-based membership, alongside a Kazakh delegation including the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Transport, the office of the Mayor of Ust-Kamenogorsk city, the Development Bank of Kazakhstan JSC and others.
Finally, on Thursday, do join us for a virtual Market Opportunity event with the Department for Business and Trade based in Angola, alongside the Angolan Investment Board (AIPEX). They will provide insights on the current business climate, policy frameworks, and opportunities for trade and investment in Angola with a focus on the agribusiness, infrastructure and education sectors.
Many of our members will have plenty to digest over the weekend, but I hope that nevertheless you will be able to enjoy something of a break in the (apparently) improving weather.
David Landsman
Executive Chairman
British Expertise International
Recordings of recent past events:
- 6th February 2025: Disinformation: Countering Divisive Narratives
- 5th February 2025: Philippines - Market Opportunity Overview
- 20th February 2025: Unlocking Potential: Expanding Affordable Housing Solutions in Africa (Slides only, recording to come)
- 25th February 2025: Education Working Group: Driving Operational Effectiveness in International Schools
Key events coming up include the following:
- 3rd March 2025 15:30– 17:00 GMT: Decarbonisation in Kazakhstan: Unlocking Investment Opportunities - This panel session and networking reception will bring together senior government and business stakeholders from Kazakhstan and the UK to facilitate an in-depth discussion on ways to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors and industry.
- 6th March 2025 10:00 – 11:30 GMT: Angola – Market Opportunity Overview - This webinar, featuring speakers from the Department for Business and Trade based in Angola, alongside the Angolan Investment Board (AIPEX), will provide insights on the current business climate, policy frameworks, and opportunities for trade and investment in Angola with a focus on the Agribusiness, Infrastructure and Education sectors.
- 11th March 2025 11:00 – 12:00 GMT: FCDO Development Director Series: Kenya - Join us as we host Leigh Stubblefield, Development Director in Kenya for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), who will present FCDO’s development strategy, programming and pipeline of opportunities in Kenya.
- 11th March 2025 14:00 – 17:00 GMT: USAID and Beyond: What Next for International Development? - Join us for an in-person panel event with the British Foreign Policy Group (BFPG), exploring the long-term implications of US President Donald Trump’s executive order on reevaluating and realigning United States Foreign Aid.
- 13th March 2025 16:00 – 19:00 GMT: Empowering Women and Girls for a Climate-Resilient Future - Join us for a panel and networking evening on the topic of Empowering Women and Girls for a Climate-Resilient Future. This event will explore the role of climate education in #AcceleratingAction for women and girls, with a particular focus on the life skills needed for adaptation, leadership and advocacy, and collaboration between donors, international development organisations and academia.
- 27th March 2025 16:00 – 18:30 GMT: Education Working Group: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) - Join us for our March Education Working Group on Continuing Professional Development (CPD), with speakers from the British Council, City & Guilds Institute and the University of Sunderland. The in-person panel will explore different approaches to CPD frameworks and training educators in an international context.
External Events:
- 4th - 13th March 2025: Made in the UK, Sold to the Indo-Pacific: Meet the Experts 2025 - UK companies will have the opportunity to explore opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region through a Roadshow programme run by the UK Government between 4th and 13th March. The programme, across all the four nations of the UK, aims to provide advice on a range of issues faced by companies. If you are interested in infrastructure, be sure to join the 12th March session in London on Scaling-up Sustainable Infrastructure, exploring the scale and scope of infrastructure across SE Asia and India.
- 11th March 2025:Marketing for growth in international settings webinar with Jonathan Ledger, Skills and Professional Bodies Specialist, International Education Team, Department for Business and Trade - These 90-minute webinars will provide skills and training providers with essential insights on how to effectively shape and tailor their marketing strategies for international markets. Participants will learn how to align their marketing approaches with specific country needs and ambitions, ensuring their messaging resonates with target cohorts.If you are interested, please contact Amalie (ac@britishexpertise.org) for further information.
- 11th & 12th March 2025: 4th UN International Procurement Seminar with the United Nations at the UN City, Copenhagen. This two-day seminar will include panel discussions, presentations from the UN Agencies and inform suppliers about procurement needs, procedures and how to do business with the UN. There is also a unique opportunity to request 1-2-1 meetings with the 10 participating Agencies & 2 Development Banks.
- 7th & 8th May 2025: Global Leakage Summit - The premier event for the international leakage community to listen, learn, and build relationships, tackling the toughest challenges together. Join presenters and panelists from leading UK and international water companies, and explore the latest technologies, data innovations, and software solutions from our exhibitors. In the face of climate change and record-high global investment in leakage management, this two-day conference promises a world-class knowledge-sharing program and invaluable networking opportunities.
- 2nd - 6th June 2025: Asia Clean Energy Forum 2025 at ADB Headquarters, Manila, Philippines. This is one of ADB’s signature events where clean energy practitioners from across the world convene to share insights and experience in the design and implementation of concrete actions that accelerate the financing of clean and efficient energy solutions. Registration will be open soon. For more details on how the 2024 ACEF transpired, you may refer to this link: Home ACEF 2024 - Asia Clean Energy Forum.
- 3rd - 5th September 2025, KazBuild 2025, Kazakhstan: Stand booking is now open for international exhibitors at KazBuild exhibition in Kazakhstan - the largest international building and interiors exhibition in Kazakhstan, annually welcoming over 7,000 specialist trade visitors to the show. KazBuild will be held 3-5 September 2025 in Almaty, the biggest city of Kazakhstan. Held since 1994, the exhibition showcases the latest products, services, technologies, and projects available on the market, and provides a key platform for governmental and building industry professionals to exchange experiences, establish cooperation and share the latest industry developments. Please contact Mrs. Tatyana Borodikhina by email: tatyana.borodikhina@exhibitions-conferences.com to learn more about how KazBuild can help to establish your business in Kazakhstan.
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