Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of making my first UKABC trip to ASEAN, where I stopped off in Hanoi, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. By the end of the week of meetings with UKTI and FCO colleagues, Chambers, and British and ASEAN businesses, I was struck by the great vibrancy which links four incredibly diverse markets. I thought it opportune to share a few reflections from my visit and give a sense of the discussions I had.
On my first evening in ASEAN we had the pleasure of sponsoring a business reception at the UK Ambassador’s Residence in Hanoi. The reception gave UK companies on the LCCI / Harvey Nash trade mission the opportunity to network with their Vietnamese counterparts. It is opportunities for effective networking such as this which the UKABC is so keen to promote.
During the course of the week I met with a number of British and ASEAN companies across all four markets. It was great to understand more about the experiences of British companies operating in ASEAN, and often across more than one market, as well as the opportunities available. Meeting with ASEAN business community to understand more about what it is they are looking for in potential partners was also very useful. The overwhelming sense from British companies was that, despite its challenges, ASEAN is a dynamic and exciting place to do business.
It was very interesting to meet the various Chambers of Commerce (British Chambers, European Chambers and domestic Chambers) to get a sense of how they, as more mature organisations, approach issues around funding and member services, as well as opportunities for collaboration. It was reassuring that there is an appetite for collaboration with the UKABC, particularly around getting more British businesses visiting and networking in the region.
I also discussed, with the Chambers, the desire of some UKABC Advisory Panel members to lead business delegations to the region. This is something which we will be looking to build into our planning for next year. It is an area on which we will look to work very closely with the Chambers and their network, as well as the UKTI network and ASEAN business community.
There was much interest in the Headstart pilot initiative - which Lord Green launched at our Annual Conference in October - from our colleagues at the European Delegation and European-ASEAN Business Centre in Thailand. They are keen to learn from our experience to see whether SMEs across Europe might benefit from this sort of service. The Headstart initiative is an excellent example of the support which UKTI, the UKABC and the Chambers are providing to UK SMEs considering, or looking to start, doing business in the region.
I came away satisfied that people had a much better understanding of the UKABC and what we are here to achieve and with many excellent ideas and contacts to follow-up with. Overall a great first visit to the region.
6 comments
Comment by Eamonn Staunton posted on
Dear Sir or Madam;
Having read Tom Burden's piece above, I would be Interested to know whether
a) Any of the UKABC Led Trade Delegations to South East Asia ever took place; and
b) is there a current programme of visits developed?
Full lists of both will be appreciated by e-mail please!
Comment by Eamonn Staunton posted on
Dear Sir or Madam;
Having read Tom Burden's piece above, I would be Interested to know whether
a) Any of the UKABC Led Trade Delegations to South East Asia ever took place; and
b) is there a current programme of visits developed?
Full lists of both will be appreciated by e-mail please!
Comment by Chris King posted on
I would like to join Eamonn Staunton in requesting some additional information, please.
Comment by Chris King posted on
I would like to join Eamonn Staunton in requesting some additional information, please.
Comment by ukti-admin posted on
Chris
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