Thank you to the Senior UKTI diplomats and UK businesses for helping us to implement a well received event, with a successful turnout of over 200 attendees.
We had marvellous line-up of speakers, ranging from Lord Green, John Murton from the FCO to business speakers such as Graham Cartledge from Benoy, and our own Chairman, Lord Mervyn Davies (Chairman, UKABC). The speakers gave delegates a great overview of the region, highlighting the exciting opportunities available to businesses and they offered support, awareness and a clear insight into how investing into ASEAN can have positive benefits to businesses who are considering doing business outside theUK.
At the event, Lord Green also launched the excellent ‘Headstart’ service for SMEs, in partnership with the British Chamber of Commerce and the UKABC. To find out more visit: http://www.ukti.gov.uk/uktihome/item/374640.html
Other speakers consisted of senior UKTI diplomats with on-the-ground knowledge of ASEAN (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam), UK businesses already succeeding in the region and experts within finance, branding, legal, risk and culture, all of which shared their knowledge and experience of doing business in South East Asia. To view full list of speakers, visit: http://www.businessinasia.co.uk/speakers
Judith Slater, Deputy High Commissioner and Director of Trade and Investment at the British High Commission inSingapore, highlighted ‘the lively and dynamic’ culture of Singapore. Even though it’s only the size of the Isle of Man, with a population of 8 million, it is a very politically stable market’ and an ‘excellent place as a hub’
Paul Smith, Executive Chairman, Harvey Nash, explained how his company had entered Vietnam as an SME but now has a ‘$1 billion turnover as a result of its growth, primarily due to Vietnam’.
Douglas Barnes, HM Consul General and Director, UK Trade & Investment (Vietnam) said: “Consumer spending and disposable income were growing with a healthy GDP growth of 5.9% in 2011. Even though Vietnam was not as developed democratically as Singapore and other countries, it still has advanced engineering in the automotive, aerospace and general manufacturing industries. With young, vibrant 30-year-olds making 54% of the population, literacy is also high at 94%.”
Ben Raby, Deputy Director of Trade and Investment (UKTI) inThailand, presented insights into the ‘second largest ASEAN (Thailand) which as of 2012 has a growth rate of 5-6%, with the fourth largest population being the middle class. There is extensive opportunity in the food and drinks, aerospace, automotive, consumer goods and medical industry’ for companies to set up businesses.
We’ve received wonderful and positive feedback from delegates and overall the event gave delegates an excellent chance to gain information and guidance on doing business in the ASEAN and great opportunities to network and create connections
1 comment
Comment by Howard Carter posted on
Sounds like a great event, I would have gone, only I am in SE Asia at present, in Thailand to be precise. Today, after months of hard work, our registration dossier is being submitted to the Thai FDA, which is no mean feat. My company, incognito, produces premium insect repellent products, and there are many opportunities for us out in ASEAN. Indeed, we are already trading in 2 of them, along with Hong Kong & Japan, thanks to UKTI and all of the people mentioned in this blog!
I will submit something to this site about the trade mission to Vietnam last week, so watch this space!
Howard Carter, CEO incognito