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MEXICO
-has been chosen as a campaign target market by Trade
Partners UK and construction equipment is a priority
sector. The Government's country desk staff are very
keen to send FMCEC Export Manager, Pam Hyde, to the
market to visit distributors, contractors and key
people for our industry. The Government will meet
all expenses for Pam's trip.
Many
opportunities exist in construction equipment in this
rapidly evolving market. The EU Trade Agreement came
into effect on 1 July 2000 and sets out full, clear
and secure rules on trade and investment. It places
the EU manufacturing industry in a much better position
to compete in Mexico with North American manufacturers
and provides for significant tariff reductions on
industrial and agricultural goods, eg the 23% tariff
on fork lift trucks has been reduced to 0% and tariffs
on automotive engines fall from 13% to 0%. These reforms
to the economy are likely to continue (fiscal, monetary,
plus privatisation and deregulation) - which will
bring about a vastly improved trading era. A full
report on the visit will be made available to all
members.
TRADE
PARTNERS UK - Web Site www.tradepartners.gov.uk
has become the new portal for all Government export
and investment information. The British Trade International
Site has ceased.
It
is worthwhile exploring the Trade Partners Site which
contains vast quantities of information - starting
with comprehensive notes on exporting and expanding
your business, including self diagnostic exercises
developed with the Institute of Export and FAQS.
The
list of Web Site links which can be accessed from
the Home Page is well developed for country information.
The
list of multilateral aid agency opportunities is impressive
and full details of the World Bank Group and Asian
Development Bank programmes, amongst others, can be
obtained.
The
construction industry sector information is also worth
reading. Of particular interest is the list of sector
events. Although these seem, at first sight, to be
mainly market explorer visits, there is a useful list
of exhibitions, seminars and missions which are related
to construction.
CONSTRUCTION
TRADE MISSION TO
BRAZIL AND CHILE: 5-10 NOVEMBER 2000
Nick
Raynsford, the Minister responsible for construction,
will be leading the trade mission - which will provide
an opportunity to meet senior key decision makers
in the public and private sector. Networking events
such as seminars, dinners and receptions will be arranged
for UK companies to meet their Brazilian/Chilean counterparts.
The mission will focus on opportunities in infrastructure
in general, both goods and services and, in particular,
rail, water, airports and, in Brazil, structural steel
in high-rise and stadium construction. Contact: Sayida
Husain, DETR - Tel: +44 (0)20 7890 5694 - E-mail:
sayida-husain@detr.gsi.gov.uk.
Generalised
Scheme of Preferences - This EU Scheme aims to
increase developing countries' exports by allowing
their products preferential access to developed countries'
markets. If you import direct to the UK from one of
the countries listed (including China and Malaysia)
your company may be eligible to enjoy reduced tariffs.
The GSP booklet, together with the list of countries,
can be downloaded from www.dti.gov.uk/access or contact
James Arfan, DTI - Tel: +44 (0)20 7215 4254.
Expanding
Our Network - The addition to the FMCEC team of
former DTI official, Bill Osborne, as our Technical
Officer has further strengthened our technical services.
We are now looking at expanding our network of key
advisors into other areas. From consultations with
our smaller members, it is clear that there is room
for an FMCEC appointed Export Advisor. Someone with
an excellent knowledge of our industry and a current
or former "hands on" exporter. The purpose
would be to offer a basic complimentary service to
FMCEC members - with additional detailed, project
work undertaken on a fee basis. Chief Executive, Rob
Oliver, came up with the idea after talking to British
companies at Intennat. He explains, "We, of course,
need to get budgets in place and get general agreement
to the strategy, but for me, an FMCEC Export Advisor
at large would be a great service. I would be interested
to hear from anyone who thinks they might fit the
bill". Contact Rob Oliver.
Sector
Partnership Report - The FMCEC's export services
were chosen by Trade Partners UK as providing an example
of best practice for other associations to benchmark
against. We now have their full report which overviews
eleven generic best prac-tice benchmarks against which
a sector's export performance can be assessed.
The report also contains recommendations for trade
associations to improve services. These will be considered
at the next Export Marketing Group meeting,
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