FOR PSP RARE


editorial director: Daska Davis email daska.davis@psprare.co.uk managing editor: Andrew Stone consultant editor: Lawrie Holmes special consultant: David Parsley editorial contributors: Emma Jones, Adrian Swinscoe, Oonagh Blackman, Richard Tyler, Lorraine Shah, Janet Tibble, Laurie Laird art director: Colin Goad


production director: Emma Elmer publisher: Shalene Varcoe


advertisement manager: James Varcoe tel 020 7566 9918


email james.varcoe@psprare.co.uk repro: Wyndeham Pre-Press print: PCP


FOR UK TRADE & INVESTMENT


managing editor: David Lines email david.lines@ukti.gsi.gov.uk


springboard magazine is published by PSP Rare on behalf of UK Trade & Investment.


PSP Rare, 21-22 Great Sutton Street, London EC1V 0DY tel 020 7566 9910 psprare.co.uk


email springboard@psprare.co.uk


To subscribe to springboard call 0800 298 3880


email springboard@subscription.co.uk


To receive free issues by post register at: springboard.managemyaccount.co.uk Click on the ‘Apply for your FREE copy of springboard magazine’ button at the top of the screen and fi ll in your details.


Views expressed in springboard are not necessarily those of UK Trade & Investment or the publishers. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply offi cial endorsement of the products or services concerned. While every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of editorial content, no responsibility can be taken for errors and/or omissions.


URN 11/P65e ISSN: 1758-440X


I


welcome to springboard


took offi ce as Foreign Secretary during a time of great economic instability. Over the past year, that instability has increased with the continuing crisis in the Eurozone. British foreign policy needs to support the UK economy to a greater degree if we are to ensure our economic recovery and long-term growth. We will make economic objectives a central aspect of our international bilateral engagement alongside our other traditional objectives. We will champion Britain as a partner of choice for any country seeking to invest and do business in Europe. And we will help secure a strong, sustainable and open global economy that benefi ts all nations. I was determined that under my leadership the Foreign and Commonwealth Offi ce


(FCO) will support Britain’s economy more than ever before. Over the last year, our Ministers and diplomats have worked to ensure that the FCO directly supports UK growth, promoting British business’ commercial interests and the UK as a hub for investment. We now place much greater emphasis on commercial diplomacy. Foreign Offi ce


ministers place a strong focus on commercial interests within the UK’s bilateral relationships and support business delegations on trade missions overseas, meeting exporting companies to hear their concerns and lobbying where possible senior government offi cials overseas on behalf of British business. Working with UKTI, a new commercial culture within the FCO encourages the diplomatic


service to spot commercial opportunities overseas, champion the UK economy and engage with business about their concerns. Our Ambassadors and High Commissioners are tirelessly lobbying on behalf of British businesses in both established export markets like the USA and emerging markets, which increasingly demand high quality British goods and services. For example, the FCO has helped companies to achieve signifi cant commercial agreements in China, such as Diageo’s bid for a majority stakeholding in Quanxing Group, a Chinese white spirits group based in Sichuan Province - only the second time there has been a takeover of a Chinese-listed company in recent history. In addition, we are strengthening our diplomatic network, realigning our resources


towards the economic powerhouses of the future, and ensuring that we have diplomats in the right places in the world with the skills and knowledge in order to enable UK companies to take advantage of the huge opportunities they present. This issue of springboard highlights opportunities for UK exporters in the fast-


growing economies of Mexico and Saudi Arabia and looks at the dynamic ICT and life sciences sectors. It offers useful insights on how SMEs can go global, while Willie Walsh and Matthew Vallance give their unique perspectives on international business. Earlier in the year I launched the FCO Charter for Business which details how I intend


the FCO to support UK companies globally. The response I receive from business suggests that the FCO’s – and the government’s – renewed emphasis is making a real difference. And I very much welcome views on where we can do more as we continue to support UK business.


Rt Hon William Hague MP First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52