Dear Members and Friends,
On Wednesday this week, Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered the UK 2021 Budget. Whilst very much inward looking, with some positive outcomes for the UK infrastructure sector, there was little ‘international’ focus. The Budget included some positive announcements on taking forward the UK’s trade policy, but there is arguably a need to develop a new export strategy driven by greater government to government (G2G) engagement. This strategy would help UK businesses leverage export opportunities resulting from the trade agreements that the government is and has been negotiating. A priority of the new strategy should be articulating the UK’s key international offerings.
Also published alongside the 2021 Budget was the ‘Build Back Better: our plan for growth’ strategy setting out the government’s plans to support economic growth through significant investment in infrastructure, skills and innovation and supporting the Global Britain vision — some ‘light’ reading for the weekend.
On Monday this week, we were delighted to partner with DIT LATAC for their first ever regional strategic meeting with over 40 senior education policy makers from Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Uruguay, and discuss the findings of the BEI Education Working Group’s report on the lost learning crisis and post-Covid education recovery. Thank you to our members from Education Development Trust, Promethean, Palladium and Cambridge Partnership for Education, who presented case studies demonstrating projects that have been addressing these challenges over the past year.
This week we also hosted an excellent event with InfraCo Asia (part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG)). According to the presentation, Asia needs to invest $26 trillion (2016–30) in infrastructure to maintain growth, alleviate poverty and address climate change. This presents many opportunities for UK expertise to support InfraCo Asia’s work as a catalyst for the private sector to invest in sustainable infrastructure projects, from early-stage project development through to project management expertise. A recording of the event and the presentation is available to members on our website, and you can find information on the pipeline of projects here.
Next week…
Next Wednesday 10th March we are excited to host the first full meeting of our new Climate Change Working Group. The working group will provide a platform for our members to network and share information on activities focused on climate change. With the UK’s hosting of COP26 in November 2021, the Group will particularly focus on the key thematic areas aligned to COP26 and profile our members’ capabilities and expertise. Key themes will be around; The Race to Net Zero (reducing emissions), Resilience, Adaptation, and Sustainability.
In collaboration with DIT India, we look forward to an event on Wednesday 10th March on Multilateral and Bilateral agency funded opportunities in India’s Infrastructure Sector. Panellists include funding agencies, industry experts and the DIT India team, who will share the current pipeline of projects, highlight the demand for technology and international expertise, as well as practical aspects of accessing these opportunities.
On Thursday 11th March we will hold a meeting of the Infrastructure Exports Working Group. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you wish to join this or any of our other working groups.
Join me on Friday next week, 12th March, for an ‘In The Spotlight’ interview with Infrastructure Intelligence editor, Andy Walker. We will discuss my take on the future of infrastructure exports, the challenges faced by UK companies, the road to ‘Net Zero’ and the role BEI plays in helping our members access global opportunities. Register HERE to join me next Friday as I discuss these, and other issues.
Future event highlights…
On Wednesday 17th March we look forward to learning about the many Education Export Opportunities in Southeast Asia. The event will provide insights into the latest regional response to the COVID-19 crisis and focus on opportunities for UK companies in the education sector.
On Wednesday 31st March, the InfraCo Africa team will introduce their work in providing funding and expertise needed to develop infrastructure projects in Africa into viable investment opportunities. Join us to hear about their current projects and gain insights on how to navigate the procurement process.
We are currently planning an event later this month with ICAI on their recent nutrition review. More details will follow soon!
With Best Wishes
Derrick
Derrick Sanyahumbi
Chief Executive Officer
British Expertise International
–
Don’t forget…
Join our LinkedIn Group!
BEI LinkedIn Group, as we share news and insights as well as our upcoming events highlights. Members share your latest news and thought leadership. Join the group here.
Visit our Member News & Resources
Our new website is now geared to showcase the latest news from both BEI and our members. Visit the Member News section and reach out to Matthew Gibbons with your news and articles.
Recruitment Board
Take advantage of the new Job Board on our website to post your organisation’s vacancies, currently this facility is available for free.
–
Upcoming Events
The events below will be hosted via webinar. For any event registration support please contact Matthew Gibbons. Click on titles to access full event details. The full calendar of events can be viewed here and recently added event dates are highlighted with an asterisk*.
10th March, 2021 — Infrastructure opportunities — India
10th March, 2021 — BEI Climate Change Working Group
11th March, 2021 — BEI Infrastructure Exports Working Group
17th March, 2021 — British Council — Education Export Opportunities in South East Asia
31st March, 2021 — InfraCo Africa
20th April, 2021 — Azerbaijan Deep-Dive
22nd April, 2021 — Kyrgyzstan Deep-Dive
–
External News & Events
9th March, 2021 — Working with the EBRD in Central Asia: Spotlight on business opportunities in the energy and infrastructure sectors. The webinar will offer an opportunity to gain insights from the EBRD experts who will discuss potential opportunities in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
10th March — SBJBC are hosting a workshop on Training Opportunities in Saudi Tourism, Sports & Entertainment Sector. Full details on their events page .
15th — 19th March 2021 — Kyrgyzstan — the Connect.KG virtual conference that will bring together local and international startups, digital businesses, and IT industry specialists. https://connectkg.com/
6th- 9th April 2021 — Brazil — Embraer Virtual Technology Showcase. Embraer are designing a new regional aircraft and are looking for future technologies, such as batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen fuel and connective manufacture through Industry 4.0. For more information, contact: alan.fisher@trade.gov.uk
21st and 22nd April, 2021 — Using Drones to Map Habitats. The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology has a two-day interactive online course and invite applications.
Evidence Synthesis to inform policy and business decision making. The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology has an online course to introduce Evidence Synthesis. The training also involves a very practical mini-QSR, developing review questions and undertaking a review.
–
Not a member?
–
Learn More
For more information about British Expertise International:
- Sign up to receive this Weekly Update
- View our upcoming webinar events
- Becoming a member
- Follow us on Twitter
- Join our Linkedin group
