International Trade International Trade Helping companies exploit overseas trade opportunities
Healthy opportunities available in Africa
UKTI is this month spearheading a trade mission to Africa Health – a three-day exhibition in Johannesburgh which could open up lucrative new orders for UK exporters. The annual event usually attracts 6,000
visitors and 400 exhibitors from 53 countries. Healthcare expenditure in South Africa is
currently worth £8.8 billion and, with expenditure set to double over the next ten years, opportunities offered by markets across Sub-Saharan Africa are significant. The potential for exporters is heightened
because a chronic shortage of local manufacture has led to a heavy reliance on imports. In fact, South Africa currently imports 90 per cent of all its medical devices. One important meeting point for exporters
and their potential customers at the exhibition, which runs from 8-10 June, will be the Medilink UK Pavilion. Medilink UK is a national health technology
business support organisation with a strong track record in increasing the viability of manufacturers, service providers, designers, OEMs and suppliers of medical technology. It also helps companies from concept through to commercialisation and nurtures collaborations between academics, clinicians and industry. On an international platform, Medilink UK supports global companies investing in the UK market as well as promoting the export of products and services to the US, Middle East and Asia.
Jamaica mission is paving the way
By Fred Bromwich
Bi-lateral trade opportunities, which have been developed in Jamaica by a West Midlands public-private sector alliance between the Birmingham Commonwealth Association and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), could provide the springboard for further success in other Commonwealth countries. That’s the belief of a BCA-led UKTI -supported
mission which has returned home after taking part in Jamaica Expo 2016, hosted in Kingston by the Jamaica Exporters’ Association, the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association in partnership with the Jamaica Promotions Corporation. A highlight of the Expo was the business
platform from which Jamaican and UK exporters and service providers could broker partnerships, market products and engage in one-to-one sessions with potential buyers.
‘The resultant outcome of agreements will see the Midlands reaping in excess of £10m worth of export business over the next five years’
The potential of India
is up for discussion A round table discussion about trade prospects in India has been held at the Chamber. With the annual growth rate currently outpacing China at over seven per cent, and with well over a billion consumers, India represents the next big opportunity for UK companies. Small and medium-sized enterprises play a central role in the Indian economy. They are a major source of entrepreneurial skills, innovation and employment. There are various reasons due to which the small scale business in India has witnessed growth. Pictured are Mark Sankey (Birmingham Chamber), Geoff Norton (Deputy High Commissioner, Ahmedabad), Ian Stokes (StadiArena, who are building a new stadium in Gujarat) and Keith Stokes-Smith (chairman, Birmingham Commonwealth Association).
22 CHAMBERLINK June 2016
“Valuable import-export orders were secured at the event, which featured 300 exhibitors – and what the partnership with BCA achieved in Jamaica we will now be looking to replicate in other Commonwealth countries such as South Africa,” said UKTI international trade adviser Pete West, who headed the delegation. “It also enabled us with the opportunity to share ‘best practice’ and discuss the possibility of student exchanges.” Birmingham City Council, Birmingham City
University, Birmingham Commonwealth Association (BCA), and enterprises such as Cleone Foods, Diamond Travel and MDTI were also represented. In fact, Martin Levermore, chief executive of MDTI, the award-winning company which finances and produces innovative medical devices, who had a one-to-one meeting with the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, donated equipment to help establish a mobile health clinic on the island. Ultimately, it is hoped that mobile health clinics will be available in all of Jamaica’s 14 parishes.
The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness (left) with Martin Levermore
Martin said: “The mission was very successful
and demonstrated that the unique model of co- partnership between industry, academia, local government and central government agencies such as UKTI is able to scale heights at pace that only few can ever imagine.” He added: “The mobile clinic project looks at
an unmet need and translates clinical knowhow and business intelligence in a manner that brings about the wellbeing of a nation in the first-of-its- type public and private partnership. The resultant outcome of agreements will see the Midlands reaping in excess of £10 million worth of export business over the next five years, whilst creating long term and sustainable employment for 150 Jamaicans.” Cleone Foods, established by managing
director Wade Lyn in 1988 to produce and distribute Jamaican patties under the Island Delight trademark, signed a distribution agreement with a Jamaican food producer to repackage and distribute products into the UK and Europe. Cleone has invested £250,000 in new machinery and expects the contract to yield £1 million per annum of export business. It also signed an agreement to manufacture
under licence a Jamaican food product for the UK and Europe, creating new business worth £1 million a year. As a result, Cleone will require an additional manufacturing facility, creating ten new jobs. As far as Birmingham City Council was
concerned, one of the objectives of the mission – lauded as an ‘undoubted success’ - was to promote mutually beneficial practical linkages between the heritage communities and local authorities of Birmingham and Kingston – an initiative forming part of larger engagement with Jamaica’s business, government, education and cultural sectors.
Contact: Mark Sankey T: 0121 450 4205
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 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60