International Trade
International Business Hub
Fact-finding mission
to India is a success Fifteen of the UK’s most promising creative firms have returned from an innovation mission to Mumbai, India. The week-long Global Business Innovation
Programme (GBIP) trip was organised by the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) on behalf of Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency. The delegates met with regional government
leaders, businesses and organisations in the creative and technology sectors in India, which make up 10 per cent of the country’s GDP. EEN business advisor Amerdeep Mangat said
that the purpose of the programme was not to generate sales, but instead to upskill UK businesses on local market knowledge, identify new opportunities for research and development, and set up bilateral partnerships between the UK and India. He said: “The primary aim of the programme
is to begin the process of establishing UK firms as creative and technological leaders in India. “All 15 businesses were able to establish their
expertise, gain knowledge and access which you cannot measure in pounds or pence, all laser focused and tailored to their businesses.” Among those in the visiting delegation were
firms hoping to cash in on the technology boom that India is experiencing and included gaming, software development, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and visual effects companies. Mr Mangat said: “This is a critical opportunity
for British firms to flex their technological and innovative muscles, and demonstrate how their ideas, products, services, expertise and knowledge can aid Indian organisations. “We are now working to help shape the
growth of the visiting companies by exploiting the opportunities that have been generated through the programme, hoping to build on the relationships and exchange of ideas that took place in Mumbai.” The Global Business Innovation programmes are fully funded for companies that are selected.
Nathan Pammenter with Omran Hassabelrasoul from SEDC
T: 0121 725 8994 E:
ibh@birmingham-chamber.com
Falcon helps local manufacturer fly high
By Philip Parkin
A Coventry-based company has paved the way for a local manufacturer to expand its export activities beyond Europe and into Africa. The firm – Falcon Global Solutions – has
helped Aston-based safety equipment maker P&P Safety sell its products to the Sudanese Electricity Distribution Corporation (SEDC). The equipment – which includes harnesses
and other safety equipment – will be used by SEDC workers to climb electricity pylons and other structures. The contract is one of the first that P&P has
won outside of Europe, and came about as a result of their search for new markets in the wake of Brexit. Falcon played a major role in the contract,
from sourcing the original enquiry from Sudan, getting samples from P&P approved by SEDC, negotiating the contract, shipping the final products to the country, and arranging payment. Falcon chief executive Mandeep Bajwa, a
The delegation visited Hinduja Group, a conglomerate founded in 1914 by Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja
28 CHAMBERLINK June 2019
chartered engineer by trade, said: “We effectively specialise in supply into emerging markets – representing small to medium enterprise (SME) manufacturers who have the desire to export to markets outside of the EU but either don’t have the necessary expertise or resources to do so.”
In the case of P&P, Falcon was approached
by the Sudanese, who wanted to take advantage of British quality products, particularly given the challenging environment in which the equipment was to be used.
‘We have seen a rise in enquiries thanks to Brexit, but unfortunately we can’t help everyone’
Mr Bajwa said he expected that the contract
would lead to similar orders from Sudan in the future. He added that some exporters, particularly smaller firms, were fearful of exporting to countries such as Sudan, due to worries over things like being paid, and said: “We bridge the gap. Falcon acts as the principle customer – paying for and collecting the goods and then organising export process and delivery. However, we are selective of who we work with, both countries and markets – we have seen a rise in enquiries thanks to Brexit, but unfortunately we can’t help everyone.” Nathan Pammenter, managing director of
P+P Safety, said: “We are delighted with our partnership with Falcon Global Solutions. Further orders are expected to come in, helping us to invest in new resources.”
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