Dear Members and Friends,
Throughout this month, we are showcasing an exhibition of photographs from the front line and the devastated land and townscapes of Ukraine in our gallery. The photographer is ex SAS soldier Adam Dobby. The exhibition is a timely reminder of the impact of the events in Ukraine. The humanitarian suffering of the population and the damage and destruction are plain to see. At the same time, the impact on the global economy continues to be felt in terms of real pressure on energy prices. The humanitarian impact is also being felt way beyond the borders of Ukraine, with the interruptions to the grain supply chain having significant impact in other economies, most notably in places like Ethiopia. With winter coming, whilst we fervently hope that it is not the case, it is likely that there will be much sadness and distress ahead.
As we look ahead to an uncertain future, there may be two things that we look back on with some degree of positivity with the benefit of hindsight. The first is the acceleration of the global push towards energy transition. Despite the urgency being expressed across the world around Climate Change, the strangulation of gas supply may prove to be the single biggest driver towards an acceleration of energy transition across Europe (as a minimum). In addition, the associated pressures on global supply chains may see an acceleration of both the threats posed to supply chains, but also an amplification of the focus on ensuring they are both secure and resilient.
In terms of forthcoming events, please see the following:
16th November: Trade Envoy to Panama, Dominican Republic & Costa Rica — Rt. Hon Baroness Hooper CMG.
In person round table at 23 Grafton Street. 14:30 for 15:00–16:30 GMT.
We are delighted to welcome back the Rt. Hon Baroness Hooper CMG for this members-only private round-table event, in-person at our offices in 23 Grafton Street, to give members the opportunity to engage with the Trade Envoy in a closed discussion.
Contact events@britishexpertise.org to reserve a place.
21st November: FCDO Rwanda — Development Priorities
Virtual event. 12:30–14:00 GMT.
Join us as we host Anna Wilson, the Development Director in Rwanda for the FCDO who will present the Government’s development priorities and programming for Rwanda.
Rwanda has seen impressive development gains since the civil war and the 1994 genocide. With a population of 13 million people, Rwanda is a landlocked country bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi.
The development progress of Rwanda has been since threatened by a poor nutrition, learning loss from school closures, and too few health services. Nonetheless, Rwanda aspires to achieve a Middle-Income Status by 2035 through their series of 7-year National Strategies for Transformation which is focused on meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (World Bank).
22nd November: Doing Business with CABEI
Virtual event 15:00–16:30 GMT.
Join the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) for their first UK market engagement event, following the recent opening of their European office. CABEI’s mission is to promote economic integration and balanced economic and social development of the Central American region (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Panama and Belize), in sectors including water sanitation, water treatment, urban mobility, health infrastructure, energy and transportation.
22nd November: An ESG Masterclass — The Why, The What And The How
In person panel event and networking reception. 16:30 for 17:00–19:30 GMT.
Join us as we explore the critical issue of ESG with a panel of speakers who will share their views on why an effective ESG approach is key to international business success and employee motivation, illustrate how the issue has been tackled successfully and share guiding principles for developing successful policies and practices within this critical area.
24th November: Doing Business with the Caribbean Development Bank — Session one: Infrastructure, Energy and Environment
Virtual event 15:00–16:30 GMT.
The first session in this year’s ‘Doing Business with the CDB’ seminar will cover opportunities in Infrastructure, Energy and Environment. This event series provides insights on CDB’s key sector plans, a forward look on their business pipelines and opportunities, and an update on CDB’s strategic direction.
Very Best Wishes
Peter O’Kane
Chairman
British Expertise International/Strategy International
Longer Term View of Events
29th November: SAVE THE DATE — Roundtable with Inbound Philippines delegation: ‘New Clark City Investment Roadshow and Study Visit’.
In-person event 13:00–15:30 GMT.
BEI is organising an in-person roundtable with the delegation, which includes the President and CEO of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority as well as their Transportation expert and Infrastructure Advisor, among others, to meet with UK organisations and hear about their expertise and experience. Specifically, the roundtable will provide the opportunity to present some UK case studies relating to smart cities development, in three key areas — sustainable finance, transport and energy. Please let Katie Duffy know if you are interested in receiving more information about the visit, and if you’d be interested in participating in the roundtable.
29th November: Doing Business with the Caribbean Development Bank — Session Two: Education, Social, Trade and Governance
Virtual event 15:00–16:30 GMT. The second session in this year’s ‘Doing Business with the CDB’ seminar will cover opportunities in Education, Social, Trade and Governance, whilst also providing insights on key sector plans and opportunities for UK Business.
30th November: Africa’s Development Dynamics 2022
Virtual event 10:00–11:30 GMT.
Arthur Minsat, who heads the OECD Development Centre’s Unit for Africa, Middle East and Europe, will share the highlights of this flagship report prepared by the African Union Commission and of the OECD Development Centre.
7th December: Colombia — Market Opportunity Overview
Virtual event 14:00–15:30 GMT.
Join us as we host George Hodgson, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Colombia and his team to explore opportunities in Colombia for UK based businesses. After a long period of conflict, Colombia has emerged as a strong economy in its region. It has one of the largest populations and economies in Latin America.
Summary of events held in the last two weeks
Which feature links to meetings slides / recordings
2nd November: Rwanda Education Deep Dive Virtual event 11:00–12:30 GMT. Join us for a deep dive into the education opportunities in Rwanda led by the Department for International Trade. Anna Wilson, the Development Director at British High Commission in Kigali, will provide us with an insight into the key education priorities for UK plc looking to do business in Rwanda. Recording available here.
3rd November: Financing Development — Insights, Challenges & Risks
Virtual Event 10:00–11:30 GMT. Join us for an online session where our key speakers explore the subject of financing development, providing us with their key insights around this topic as well as the challenges and risks of development finance today. We will be joined by representatives from British International Investment, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Crown Agents Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. Recording available here.
Upcoming external events
13th — 14th November: B20 Indonesia 2022. The official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community.
14th November: Managing Cross Border Payments Risk and FX in International Development — Roundtable and Drinks Reception. 16:00–19:00. UK Mission, Avenue Louis Casaï 58, Grand-Saconnex, Geneva, Switzerland. RSVP: To Marie.Gow@fcdo.gov.uk before 1st November if you would like to attend. The United Kingdom Permanent Mission in Geneva and Crown Agents Bank are delighted to invite Swiss NGO and Foundation treasury and payments professionals to a roundtable discussion and drinks reception exploring the management of cross-border payments and FX in the international development sector.
16th — 18th November: APEC CEO Summit Thailand. APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) is an important forum for advancing the prosperity of people and societies in the region.
22nd November: ADB outreach session discussing SCQS with the consultancy market. 10:00–11:30 Manila time. Registration can be found here.
24th November: ADB outreach session discussing SCQS with the consultancy market. 15:00–16:30 Manila time. Registration can be found here.
24th November: Managing FX and cross-border payments risk in international development, 17:15–21:00 at St Boltophs’s Church Hall, City Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3TL. This event will be an evening of conversation and networking, focused on the safe and timely delivery of FX and cross-border payments into hard-to-reach markets with lived case studies. Discussion will cover a range of topics including bank account management, access to cash, investments, safety and controls, financial risks, and technology.
29th November: Business Opportunity Briefing on “New Clark City: The Philippines’ Sustainable Future city and Green Investment Destination”. Herringham Hall, Regents University London Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4NS. New Clark City is the Philippine government’s response to the overstressed confines of Metro Manila. the 9,450 ha New Clark City is the first green, disaster-resilient, inclusive and sustainable metropolis in the country that will provide unmatched potential for the Philippines, its neighbors, and its investors to be a global economic force. This event will showcase the exciting pipeline of projects in New Clark City. Registration can be found here.
30th November: UBTIC (Uzbek-British Trade and Industry Council) meeting in Tashkent. Attendees can expect high-level participation, including DIT’s General Director, Andrew Mitchell, HMTC Kenan Poleo and Uzbek DPM Jamshid Khodjaev. Alongside this high-level government participation, UBTIC will bring together an impressive roster of senior executives and sector experts for a day of roundtable discussions from both UK and Uzbek businesses. Register here by 25th November.
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