Australia and Singapore can boost the small businesses that will take UK out of recession
Australia is a land of plenty for UK companies while Singapore, already one of the largest export markets outside Europe, offers a springboard to further business in south-east Asia, say overseas trade experts.
The opportunities will be presented at a free seminar at World Trade Centre Hull & Humber on December 4.
Paul Noon, deputy consul general and director of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in Australia, who is visiting Hull this Friday (November 20), said that knowledge-based businesses doing well in the UK had every chance of being successful in Australia and that local businesses should attend the event to find out about the wide-ranging prospects.
“Small UK businesses, especially the ones that are exporting, are on the front line in terms of getting us out of recession. They're flexible and responsive to demands and can grow quickly,” said Mr Noon.
“These are the companies that will secure jobs and futures, so let’s celebrate them and get behind them,” he said.
“The Australian market is friendly and familiar in terms of services, legal systems and ways of doing business, with UK products having a very high standing.
“It hasn’t gone into recession and because of the strength of the Australian dollar, UK exports are about 30 per cent better value. It is one of the strongest markets in the world and was the first G20 nation to raise interest rates since the global economic downturn.”
Mr Noon said that potential business in Australia was worth about $40bn (£20bn) partly due to major infrastructure projects in the country. Opportunities included those in the biotechnology, environmental and renewable energy, financial services, food and drink, mining gas and oil exploration.
Opportunities in Singapore include those in advanced engineering and manufacturing, creative industries and design, education and training, environment, financial and professional services, healthcare, ICT, oil and gas, and ports and logistics.
Designated by UKTI as a high growth market, Singapore is the UK’s largest trading partner in south-east Asia and one of its largest export markets outside Europe.
The UK is also the largest investor in Singapore with more than 700 UK companies based there. Singapore is ranked number one in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report.
UKTI and KPMG specialists in the Australian and Singaporean markets will explore the opportunities at the World Trade Centre event from 8.45 to 11.30am.
The Hull branch of Tribal, which has been awarded a contract to develop a student registration portal for the University of Sydney, will share its experiences of business in Australia.
Also speaking is a representative from the regional partnership, Personal Care Programme, which has visited Singapore on behalf of several companies in the Yorkshire region, leading to business opportunities and strong links with the British High Commission in the country. [End]
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Paul Noon is spending the day in Hull on November 20 (this Friday) as part of wider tour of Yorkshire. He will be available for interview between 3.30 and 4pm.
For further information, please contact Catherine Ackroyd at Mapa on 01492 589900, 07739 139056, Catherine@mapa.org.uk.