UKTI Aid Funded Business Service

British Expertise and Birmingham Chamber of Commerce hold a contract to run UK Trade & Investment's Aid-Funded Business Service.

This service, previously run in-house by UKTI, aims to raise awareness among UK companies of the commercial opportunities available by selling to international aid agencies and funding institutions such as the United Nations, the World Bank, the European Commission and the Regional Development Banks.

Between them, these agencies have a procurement budget of £10 billion per a year. It is a potentially huge market for British firms and the UK is already the third largest supplier behind the USA and Russia. The most sought after expertise is in the healthcare, construction, consultancy, environmental, transport and ICT sectors.

The AFBS is run from Birmingham by Claire Gamage. She said: "Aid-Funded Business has always been a very important part of the work of Birmingham Chamber. We regularly introduce West Midlands companies to the various International Funding Institutions such as the UN, World Bank and European Commission either through events held here in Birmingham, or outward group visits.
"Our partners in British Expertise bring particular expertise in working with consultants. Birmingham is an excellent base for the AFBS as we have a longstanding history and reputation of introducing companies to the procurement opportunities within these international agencies."

The AFBS will deliver a series of training workshops, seminars, market visits and will update a series of guides on the work of the major multi-lateral aid organisations.

If you are interested in finding out more about the opportunities for your company in Aid Funded Business, or would like some advice on how to get started, please contact Claire Gamage (UK Trade & Investment Aid Funded Business Service) on 0845 603 0084 or email c.gamage@afbs.org.uk. Nigel Peters is the Project Director, and British Expertise members should normally contact Nigel in the first instance.

Further details are also available on the UK Trade & Investment website at www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/ukti/aid_funded_business.

Companies can also register online to receive business opportunity alerts on Multi-lateral aid, as well as details of upcoming events and opportunities to meet key personnel from the International Agencies.


AFBS Staff List December 2009