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The purpose of this newsletter is to alert UK business to what UKTI sees as the main headlines in the Pacific Rim, South East Asia & Hong Kong. It is meant to be no more than a snapshot. To go to a chapter – Click on heading, press `Ctrl’, then left click. Feedback, comments and contributions to the UKTI strategy are always welcomed. Further information on any of these subjects is also available. Vietnam PM Visited the UK Taiwan – Taiwan British Business Council Plenary, Edinburgh 16-17 June 08 Indonesia – Duke of York visits Indonesia: 3-6 March Korea – Free Trade Agreement talks continue at pace Vietnam – Prime Minister of Vietnam Visited the UK 3-6 March Singapore – Singapore British Business Council Plenary and UK Healthcare mission, Land Transport Authority seek contractors from Europe, MTI Growth report Philippines – Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago visited the UK 25 February, Asia House Forum on ASEAN-UK Relation on 6th March 2008 Thailand – Lord Digby Jones to visit Thailand with business delegation 24-27 March. Hong Kong & Macao – Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, British Business Association of Macao, Lord Mayor to visit in July 08 General Items of Interest ASEAN Retail Event 8 May, Latest Trade figures Dec 07, snapshot graphs by market Taiwan
It is confirmed that the business to business Taiwan British Business Council will meet in Edinburgh on 16-17 June. The sectoral focus will be environmental clean-up/regeneration, renewable energy, ICT and Financial Services (How can Scotland work for Taiwan). Businesses in these sectors should contact us to find out how they can benefit from attending this event.
HRH The Duke Of York chats with Indonesian Senior Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia (Central Bank) Miranda Gultom during luncheon reception hosted by British Chambers of Commerce in Jakarta (4/3).
HRH The Duke Of York greets UKTI Indonesia Director Jeremy Larner upon arrival at Halim Perdana Kusuma in Jakarta (3/3 ) IndonesiaDuke of York visits Indonesia: 3-6 MarchFlying the flag for UK business as the Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, the Duke of York undertook a programme in Jakarta which saw him raise UK business interests with the President and a number of Ministers. He also visited BP’s Tanguh project. (Indonesia being BP’s fourth largest market in terms of investment.) Korea
Korea: Free Trade Agreement talks continue at pace Negotiations between the EU and Korea continued with the approval of the new President. The latest (sixth) round took place in February. Progress was good. Both sides are targeting the end of the year to conclude an agreement. Intercessional meetings will now take place on services and Pharma. Sessions on non tariff barriers for electrical, wines & spirits and automotive will take place in March. The timing of the next round of talks will rely on progress made at these meetings. We hope that the newly formed Korean British Business Council under Sir David Wright will meet the new Korean Ambassador to the UK at which the economic policies of the new President can be discussed. The Asia Task Force will be holding a seminar in Seoul in March discussing the importance of intellectual property to an economy.
His Excellency Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam & the Lord Mayor of London witness a contract signing between HSBC (Charles Gregory) & Bao Viet Holdings (Madame Nguyen Thi Phuc Lam), Mansion House, 5 March. VietnamVietnam Prime Minister’s Visit to the UK: 4-5 March A hugely successful visit for UKTI. Of his two days in the UK the Prime Minister dedicated more than half of his time to meeting British business and participating in UKTI supported events. This included a breakfast meeting hosted by the Prudential in the City attended by 100+ and a Business Forum organised by Harvey Nash with 400+ in attendance. For both events it was standing room only. The visit focussed minds on concluding outstanding business with more than $5 billion of agreements signed. Of special significance is the granting of licences to both Standard Chartered Bank and HSBC which will allow them to develop a network of branches in Vietnam. Is there a better sign that an economy is really going places than when banks decide they have to open more branches? The visit showed the real appetite for UK Vietnam trade. This coincided with the news that UK exports to Vietnam were up nearly 40% in 2007. We hope to report on how we will sustain this momentum in future editions of the e.bulletin.  Singapore
SBBC The Singapore British Business Council (SBBC) will hold their annual Plenary in Singapore, 11/12 September 08. In the margins of this, the SBBC are working with UKTI’s Healthcare Sector Team and ABHI to take across a mission of UK healthcare companies who will hold a seminar on 15th before visiting the Hospimedica Exhibition 17-19 September. Contractors from EuropeThe Land Transport Authority are looking to bring more contractors into the market from Europe as they need more people to help deliver the projects that they have been announcing over the last few weeks. For example, two new MRT lines - Eastern Regional and Thomson Lines have been announced with contract value of S$20bn. LTA are planning to head over to Europe and the UK in September to garner interest.
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