Dear Members and Friends,
This week saw the publication of the UK government’s long awaited International Development Strategy (IDS) setting out their vision for the future of UK’s international development focus and priorities. I am pleased to say that our members at BEI already deliver across all four priorities. Whilst the strategy provides some clear direction in terms of priorities and approach and looks to leverage the combined ‘British expertise’ to deliver international development, we look forward to greater detail on some of the specifics, notably budget allocations by geography, sectors and areas of focus.
We are encouraged by commitment to re-balance multilateral and bilateral spend, and the desire to make better use of UK expertise from private sector, civil society, academia, etc. to deliver on the development agenda. The proposed empowerment of UK Heads of Mission abroad to drive in-country programme implementation is also a promising development especially if in reality it leads to faster project approval processes and greater visibility of long-term programmes pipeline. We look forward to engaging with the FCDO on the IDS in greater detail and exploring how the expertise and experience of our private sector members and other delivery partners can continue to and build on the support to government in delivering the strategic priorities. We look forward to hearing how this greater empowerment to UK Heads of Missions is reflected and commented upon during our up-coming ‘Meet the Ambassadors’ series in June.
This week, we were delighted to host a session with the DIT team on ‘Global Health Strategy and Opportunities: The DIT Priorities’. We were joined by the DIT team, which will include Dr Aphrodite Spanou, Director for Healthcare, Life Sciences and Chemicals; Rahul Agarwal, Deputy Head Healthcare & Life Sciences; David Sheppard, Deputy Head Healthcare; and Madhukar Bose, Deputy Head Healthcare. The session highlighted the broad range of areas of opportunity for UK companies including; Life Sciences, Healthcare Infrastructure, Digital Health, Pharma, as well as Health Systems, Healthy Ageing, Genomics. We look forward to delving deeper into each of these areas in the coming weeks and months.
On Tuesday 24th May, we look forward to launching The SLN Recruiters Working Group, established to support Recruiters, HR staff, and other Safeguarding Leads Network (SLN) member organisations’ teams working on safeguarding and involved in recruitment processes. This inaugural meeting will shape the future of the Group, providing an opportunity for peer-to-peer engagement to share experiences, challenges, and lessons. This Working Group and its activities are open to SLN member organizations only. If you would like to enquire about joining the SLN or the Working Group, please contact Iulia Ward.
On Wednesday 25th May we look forward to hosting the Asian Development Bank’s Director of Macroeconomic Research Abdul Abiad, who will take us through the key highlights from the Asian Development Outlook 2022 report launched last month. Insights will include the drivers of recovery across the region and perspectives on the key risks weighing on the region’s outlook. He will share insights on policy responses, and potential long-term effects of the global headwinds, including current impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following week, on Tuesday 31st May, we will be hosting a climate change focused event on the impact that the European Union’s Green New Deal will have on UK businesses. As the European Union begins to rapidly pursue its climate related targets, a multitude of new regulations are being brought in that will ultimately impact on both trade and development projects delivered by UK businesses. Do join us to find out more.
On Wednesday 1st June, we will also be hosting a panel event the with BEI Built Environment/Infrastructure Working Group who will be presenting their latest work on Resilience in the Built Environment. Resilience has long been a core aspect of the Built Environment, but now with the increasing impact of climate change, this topic has gathered renewed significance amongst businesses and policymakers. Join us for this online event as our panelists share insights into the Group’s unique framework for contextualising the UK export offer in this area, whilst also showcasing the latest projects being delivered by UK exporters.
On Wednesday 8th June, with an ever-increasing mandate and a new strategy, we look forward to welcoming British International Investment (BII) previously the CDC Group’s Colin Buckley (Managing Director) and Andrew Palmer (Director of Global Affairs) as they present on the UK’s development finance institution’s new 2022–2026 strategy and key highlights on its role as part of the UK Government’s international development financing offer. WE will also look forward to hearing how their strategy aligns to the recently published UK government International Development Strategy. Join us to hear more about BII’s plans and priorities over the coming years. For more details and to register for these events, please click here.
On Tuesday 7th June, British Expertise International in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam, Chair of the ASEAN Education Sector, invites you to join the launch of a new policy brief on recovering learning and rebuilding education in the ASEAN region This policy brief summarises an important discussion between members of the British Expertise International Education Working Group (following the publication of the Recover Learning, Rebuild Education report), Ministers of Education from all ASEAN countries, and UK government officials, which was held in March 2022 to share knowledge and support the remediation of education challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic.
As we build up to the summer period, we will continue to build up the programme and as always welcome any suggestions for themes, topics and speakers you would like us to engage on or with. I look forward to the opportunity to catch up with as many of you as possible in person or virtually during these events or do reach out if you have time for a coffee or just a catch up.
The weekend has started off a little wet today but hoping for sunny skies with a chance of the occasional barbecue.
With Best Wishes
Derrick
Derrick Sanyahumbi
Chief Executive Officer
British Expertise International
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Don’t forget…
See our full events programme here, and to enquire about becoming a member of BEI, register your interest here.
Join our Working Groups — as part of our member focus, the working groups offer opportunities for peer-to-peer engagement, learning & sharing, profiling expertise & capabilities and highlighting thought leadership. Groups include Climate Change, Education, Infrastructure and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, and we also support a Safeguarding Leads Network. For details contact Joe McLynn
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Upcoming Events
For any event registration support please contact the events team. Click on titles to access full event details. The full calendar of events can be viewed here.
24th May — BEI Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group
24th May — Safeguarding Leads Network (SLN) Recruiters Working Group
25th May — Asian Development Outlook 2022
31st May — Unpacking the European Green Deal: What could this mean for UK businesses?
1st June — Resilience in Infrastructure/Built Environment
6th June — BEI Education Working Group
8th June — British International Investment Strategy Update (formerly CDC Group)
9th June — Infrastructure: A Proposal for a Global Certification Framework
13th June — BEI Girls’ Education Working Group
13th June — Meet The Ambassadors: West Africa
14th June — Meet The Ambassadors: Middle East (GCC)
14th June — Meet the Ambassadors: The Caribbean
15th June — Meet the Ambassadors: East and Central Africa
15th June — Meet The Ambassadors: Latin America
15th June — BEI Climate Change Working Group
16th June — Meet The Ambassadors: Central Asia
16th June — Meet the Ambassadors: North Africa
21st June — Meet the Ambassadors: South Asia
21st June — Meet the Ambassadors: Southern Africa
22nd June — Meet The Ambassadors: Southeast Asia
22nd June — Meet The Ambassadors: Middle East (non-GCC)
23rd June — Meet the Ambassadors: Western Balkans
28th June — BEI Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group
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External News & Events
26th May - The Saudi E-Commerce Council in partnership with the SBJBC and DIT will be hosting a Saudi/UK E-commerce event in London on the morning of 26 May. The Saudi delegation will be led by HE Dr Majed AlQasabi, Minister of Commerce, and includes senior representatives of key Saudi public sector stakeholders. Please Register Here or for further information visit the SBJBC events page.
10th June - The Africa Forum (Africa in the emerging global economic order) is an annual gathering where OECD officials and African policymakers, private sector, academia, and civil society leaders weigh the continent’s approaches to face the present and the challenges that lie ahead. This 21t edition of the AU-OECD International Economic Forum on Africa takes place in the framework of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM), chaired by Italy under the theme “The Future We Want: Better Policies for the Next Generation and a Sustainable Transition”. Event registration and more information can be found on the OEDC development page
28th June - The Saudi British Joint Business Council (SBJBC) is planning a half-day Renewable Energy Forum in London on 28 June 2022 in partnership with the Lord Mayor and City of London. The Forum will focus on investment and partnership opportunities in renewable energy and clean-tech, including hydrogen, and the finance available. For further information or to register your interest please contact Cordelia Begbie at operations@sbjbc.org or visit the SBJBC Events Page.
28th – 29th September - Field Electronics and Sensors Training : The one-day BEGINNER course will give you an introduction to electronics as applied to environmental sensors in the field. The one-day ADVANCED course will build on the Beginners course and Learners will gain advanced knowledge on data logging systems, sensors, communication protocols and remote data downloading. Find more details HERE.
Date TBC - The Government of Jamaica intends to commission the construction of a new Parliament building. JAMPRO intends to host a webinar to explain the opportunity - date to be confirmed and will share with members. Please see below details: ePPS - View Competition details (gojep.gov.jm) https://udcja.com/2022/04/04/construction-of-the-new-jamaica-houses-of-parliament-at-national-heroes-park-kingston-jamaica/
https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/business/20201118/us50m-price-tag-new-parliament-building
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