Lobbying Government – A Moving Target?
The name plates are changing again outside 1 Victoria Street, London SW1. What was the DTI, became BERR – and is now BIS (see article below). We did not notice any fundamental changes in the transition from DTI to BERR, so we will watch with interest what the new designation means in practice. In particular we will want to ensure that UKTI remains in place as the delivery mechanism for support for overseas trade; and that our channels to get our messages across to government remain unaffected. Possibly the most significant change is the further elevation of Lord Mandelson to the position of First Secretary of State – de facto Deputy Prime Minister. He has a track record of at least understanding some of the challenges to manufacturers and industrialists that we are facing. Despite the media obsession with other matters at present, the CEA will continue to press HMG on providing real help for business. The latest CECE pan-European Business Barometer gives some indication that we may have reached the bottom of the market, but the last few months have been so hard for most of our members that it will take a very significant recovery to get the products moving through the supply chain again with any degree of confidence and certainty.
Rob Oliver - CEA Chief Executive

New Government Department – Business, Innovation and Skills
The government has created a new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, whose key role will be to build Britain’s capabilities to complete in the global economy more

Algeria and Libya – the next big boom markets?
24 June 2009 – CEA International Business Group meeting more

Aftermarket Excellence for Mining and Construction Equipment Manufacturers Seminar
8 July – National Motorcycle Museum
Discover how Syncron’s solutions have delivered significant and lasting benefits for construction equipment manufacturers more

Return to Growth – Going Global, Not Local
15-16 October 2009 – CECE Summit 2009 – Brussels
The perfect platform for industry to communicate with EU politicians and policy makers more

Brazil – Land of Opportunity?
The CEA’s Joanna Oliver is just back from a two week UK Trade & Investment supported scoping visit to Brazil more

Excon India
CEA UK Pavilion – Government grants and FREE British Airways business class flights available!
25-29 November 2009 – Bangalore
Although the Indian market, in common with the rest of the world, has seen a sharp decline in sales in the last 12 months, leading market research company, Off-Highway Research, predicts a robust 28 per cent growth in 2010 more