
BEI Weekly Update — 7th September 2018
The calendar of upcoming events and a weekly update from BEI
Dear Members and Friends,
We are easing back into a busy calendar of events here at BEI. We look forward to catching up with you following what we hope was a summer of recharging.
On Wednesday Leni Wild co-Director, Global Learning for Adaptive Management at ODI shared insights on “doing development differently”. There was some consensus that the development industry needed to have shared principles and actions to highlight this practice. In 3-minute-pitch style presentations, some members shared what doing development meant to them and how they organisations are implementing this in their work.
On Thursday, the Saudi British Joint Business Council (SBJBC UK) and British Expertise International (BEI) co-hosted a roundtable with a high-level delegation from the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). The delegation led by H.E. Abdulhakim Altamini, President of GACA presented on current and future investment opportunities in the context of GACA’s current privatisation programme. With 27 airports and more than 91 million passengers per year, Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation sector is growing at a rapid pace and opportunities abound for British companies.
The 2019 British Expertise International Awards website is now live and we look forward to your entries. We will soon be sending out updates on submissions and sponsorship opportunities. The Awards recognise and showcase some of the best UK-plc capability operating in both domestic and international markets.
As always, feel free to contact me directly with any enquiries, ideas for event topics or suggestions for speakers that you feel would be of interest to you and the wider membership.
With Best Regards,
Derrick
Director, British Expertise International
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Upcoming Events
For any event registration assistance please contact Sue Watkins. Click on titles to access more event details. The full calendar can be viewed here and recently added events are highlighted with an asterisk*
Wednesday 12th September
Lunch with the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The Rt Hon. Alistair Burt MP, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will share his views on the Middle East region and the business opportunities for British companies.
Tuesday 18th September
Accessing Project Financing Support — UK Export Finance
UKEF has some £50bn allocated to support UK companies finance overseas projects and operations. The UKEF team will provide insights into how UK companies can access this financial support.
Thursday 4th October
DFID’s digital Strategy — Doing Development in a Digital World
Frances Sibbet, DFID’s Digital Service Lead will share DFID’s Digital Strategy and how the organisation is preparing for ‘Doing Development in a Digital World’.
Tuesday 9th October
EBRD Infrastructure & Procurement — Working and Delivering on Projects
Sue Barrett, Director for Transport and Jan Jackholt, Director of Procurement, from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will share useful information and updates on strategies, working and delivering projects with the EBRD.
Thursday 16th October*
Enhancing Local Content Contribution in Projects
Join BEI in partnership with Invest in Africa for a stimulating discussion on the use of local content in projects, its benefits and challenges including how it can be a competitive advantage in delivering projects and implementation.
Thursday 17th October*
Climate Change: Under 2°C — Mission Possible
Is there a different perspective to the doom and gloom story about climate change. Mott MacDonald believe so, join Ian Allison, Global Head Climate Resilience as he shares their recently published report which details the steps needed to achieve a sub-2°C future by 2050.
Tuesday 30th October
Lunch with HE Mr Sulaiman Hamid Almazroui, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates
BEI’s Middle East Access Group will host HE Mr Sulaiman Almazroui, Ambassador of the UAE as he shares insights on the political and economic overview and also opportunities for British business in the UAE.
Tuesday 22nd November*
DFID Afghanistan Country Update
Join us as Mike Hamond CBE, DFID Country Director Afghanistan shares an update on DFID’s work and some of the challenges and opportunities of working in Afghanistan.
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External Events
Wednesday 19th September
Opportunity Arabia — Oil and Beyond Conference
The Grocers’ Hall, Princes Street, London EC2R
Opportunity Arabia — Oil and Beyond, is a key conference on Saudi Arabia, now in its 14th year. The conference focuses on the current developments and opportunities taking place in the Kingdom and brings together leaders and experts in both business and government to share their insights and offer invaluable advice on how best to succeed in the Saudi market. BEI members will be entitled to a preferential event rate of £95+vat by using the promotional code BEOA18 at the time of booking.
Friday 21st September
Airports Roundtable Meeting — DIT Indonesia and Vietnam
3 Whitehall Place, Westminster, SW1A 2AW
DIT Director of Trade and Investment in Jakarta, Joel Derbyshire and Chair of the British Aviation Group, Graham Bolton will be hosting a roundtable meeting on the Indonesia Airport Sector and opportunities for British companies.
Deputy Consul-General and Head of Trade and Investment for the British Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, Neill James, will also be attending the meeting to provide an update on airport developments in Vietnam and share on a proposed mission to Vietnam.
If you would like to attend please email Sue Watkins by midday 11 September 2018 expressing interest in either or both sessions, so that we can send a consolidated list to DIT.
3rd–4th October
Best of Nigeria Investment Exhibition (BONIE2018)
Platinum Suite, ExCel London
With Theresa May’s pledge to boost Britain’s investment in Africa, her visit to Nigeria as Brexit Trade Mission continues, and Buhari’s administration’s promise to make Nigeria a global investment destination, BONIE EXPO on October 3rd and 4th at the ExCel London couldn’t be timelier.
Register your place(s) for our Exhibitor and SME Booster Packages before September 14th and save 10%. Quote BEI. For further information, email info@bestofnigeria.org or call +44 203 086 8187.
24th — 28th October
EAA Investment Mission to Ethiopia
East Africa Association along with the EU will be taking an investment delegation to Ethiopia. Eastern Africa recorded the continent’s best economic performance in 2017 and, within that, Ethiopia stands out as the fastest growing country. Please contact John Small for mission details or to express interest for what should be a very interesting trip to one of the most fascinating and diverse countries on the continent.
18th — 21st November
UK Technology & Smart Cities Delegation to Saudi Arabia
SBJBC will be leading a UK Technology & Smart Cities delegation to Saudi Arabia. For further information please visit their website.
Register here →
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