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VINCE CABLE LAUNCHES BRITISH EXPORTS TO ASIA CAMPAIGN

DR VINCE CABLE, Secretary of State for Business has launched a high profi le UK Trade & Investment campaign to get more British fi rms exporting to 12 of Asia’s most dynamic and thriving markets. The campaign, which runs until March 2013, aims to inspire and motivate British companies, particularly SMEs, to boost their regional knowledge. It will include a programme of events and practical guides to give businesses the confi dence and insight they need to succeed in Asian markets. UK Trade & Investment is currently working with RBS Group on a series of events to demonstrate key business opportunities in a variety of markets including China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

A conference, Explore Asia – a world of opportunities in Asia, will take place on 9 February at Central Hall, Westminster and include keynote speakers, masterclasses, market clinics and networking sessions. The campaign is endorsed by the

Asia Task Force, whose members include co-chairs, Dr Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business and Lord Powell of Bayswater, as well as leading business and trade organisations.

Dr Cable said: “Last year our exports to the 12 markets in this campaign were worth £25bn, though we are still well below potential. We want to see many more British companies especially SMEs succeed in Asia over the coming years. I urge companies from all sectors to really engage in this campaign and explore what Asia has to offer them.”

Prime Minister opens McLaren’s new production centre

By the numbers: CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

creative industries accounted for

of Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2009

2.89 Source: UK Trade & Investment springboard | 09 PER CENT

IN NOVEMBER, Prime Minister David Cameron opened McLaren’s new production centre in Woking. He said: “Formula 1 is a massive British success story. Even in diffi cult times, maybe particularly in diffi cult times, you’ve got to try to make sure you are building a really worthwhile economy for the future. When I come here, it’s a great reminder that in Britain we still have world-class engineering, world-class manufacturing, world-class production techniques.” During the visit the Prime Minister announced a £250m pilot scheme to give employers the power to design, develop and purchase skills training.

creative industries accounted for

10.6 PER CENT

of the UK’s exports in 2009

1.5m PEOPLE

are employed in the UK’s creative industries, which equates to 5.14 PER CENT of UK employment

OONAGH BLACKMAN

WRITER AND BROADCASTER

There should be a distinct feelgood factor as Britain eyes up the prospect of a warm economic glow from the London Olympics. But the heavy, dark cloud from Europe’s sovereign debt woes cloaks everything in uncertainty. Firms will now be hoping for a spring Budget that enables them to invest and grow with confi dence. The Government

recently announced £5bn-worth of infrastructure projects to boost the economy. Yet this should be accompanied by a raft of further stimulatory measures.

The bright spots

are there. The next generation of smartphones will be powered by UK- developed microchips and car fi rms like Jaguar Land Rover are starting work on new low-emission engines. So there have

been some fantastic displays of resilience by UK plc, but if manufacturing is to continue to fl ourish, Government must give industry the certainty it needs to drive growth and future prosperity.