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BRIEFING


Asia’s ‘smart cities’ spell opportunity for the UK


AS THE DYNAMIC cities of Asia grow, the UK is well placed to help provide them with the smart solutions and technology they need, according to a new research project led by UK Trade & Investment. The research, summarised in a


report, Smart cities of the future in Asia: the opportunities for UK business, focuses on analysing and benchmarking smart cities across 10 markets in Asia (Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam) as potential centres of growth for UK business.


The report will suit innovative companies of all sizes and will analyse opportunities across a range of sectors, including the built environment, education, energy and environment, health, digital environment/media and transportation. Projects include a $7.18bn nationwide smart grid programme to use energy more effi ciently in South Korea and an electronic-media-led smart learning programme in Malaysia. The report will be launched on 9 February at the ‘Explore Asia’ conference in London. Then a half day ‘Smart cities in Asia’ event in Salford on 14 February


Overseas investors eye UK infrastructure opportunities


A MAJOR infrastructure conference aimed at increasing UK-China co-operation was held in London in November. Opened by Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Green, and Commercial Secretary to the Treasury, Lord Sassoon, the high-profi le event, held at the Emirates Stadium, sought to secure Chinese inward investment in major infrastructure projects. “This is an important next step in our partnership for growth with China,” said Lord Green. “With over £200bn of investment required over the next fi ve years, we are keen to encourage overseas investors to help deliver these


improvements. UK fi rms can contribute their expertise to China’s rapid infrastructure development, whilst Chinese investment will help the UK’s economic recovery.” Lord Sassoon, added: “Investment in core infrastructure is vital to growth for the UK’s medium-term future – driving competitiveness and supporting sustained growth. “We will shortly be publishing the next iteration of the National Infrastructure Plan, which will identify priority UK infrastructure opportunities in sectors including transport, energy generation, transmission, communications and water.”


UK style is all the fashion


NATIONAL STYLE ICONS such as the Duchess of Cambridge are driving demand for British fashion overseas and the UK’s fashion sector expects to capitalise on it, says a new report. The survey from DHL Express


reveals that two-thirds of small UK fashion companies surveyed expect to see overseas sales to double over the next two years. Phil Couchman, chief executive


offi cer of DHL Express UK and Ireland, said: “The British fashion industry is in a strong position to grow its own revenues.”


will focus specifi cally on the business opportunities that the development of smart cities across Asia will present to UK companies. In both London and Salford, delegates will be able to talk to experts from the research team as well as UK Trade & Investment representatives from the 10 markets in the research.


NEXT STEPS


Register for these events at www.businessinasia.co.uk. To fi nd out more about smart cities, contact Dominic Lyons on 020 7215 3186 or email dominic.lyons@ukti.gsi.gov.uk


viewpoint my world


EMMA JONES


AUTHOR & FOUNDER OF ENTERPRISE NATION


Following soon after a speech from the Prime Minister setting out an ambition to see 100,000 more small businesses exporting, we hosted a week- long series of online and live events to help entrepreneurs Go Global.


Successful exporters including Richard Moross (MOO), Kate Castle (BoginaBag) and Rob Law (Trunki) shared their inspirational stories on stage and in online web chats. They were joined by experts from companies such as Alibaba.com, HP, PayPal and Elance offering practical tips


and tools. A free Go Global eBook and app are now available. A survey conducted ahead of Global Entrepreneurship Week revealed 67 per cent of small businesses are going global within their fi rst 12 months of trading. With increased


THE UK IS HOME TO MORE THAN 400 CHINESE COMPANIES, INCLUDING SAIC, CHINA MOBILE, CHINA TELECOM, HUAWEI, ZTE AND CHANGAN.


THE UK IS EUROPE’S LEADING RECIPIENT OF INVESTMENT FROM CHINA.


THE UK RANKS WITH GERMANY AS THE LARGEST CUMULATIVE EUROPEAN INVESTOR IN CHINA ($16.9BN AUGUST 2010)


support and practical tools at your disposal, this trend towards rapid globalisation looks set to continue! Find out more at enterprisenation.com


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