Export Express

KOSOVO

A contractor & member of the UK Kosovo Task Force will talk to our Export Marketing Group on 21 September. Remember to keep looking at the Task Force web site to keep informed of developments: www.brittrade.com/kosovo.

The Task Force now has a representative from British Trade International in Pristina, David Webb. His job is to get close to the various international agencies working in Kosovo for details of possible contacts and opportunities for UK business. He can be contacted via e-mail on pristina.fco@gtnet.gov.uk. He is feeding information back to the Task Force and Mark Watcham is passing targeted information to the Federation.

The European Commission's Task Force for the Reconstruction of Kosovo (TAFKO) is being taken over by the European Agency for Reconstruction. The 1999 TAFKO budget is 140 million Euro. Members who have not yet registered their interest with TAFKO should obtain a registration form from the EU Commission, Brussels (attention Mr Moschetti, fax 003 22 229 5431). The European Commission will publish Calls for Expression of Interest in the Official Journal and on the websites: www.seerecon.org and http://europa.eu.int/comm/scr/tender/index.htm These will give a brief description of projects and explain what documents need to be sent to TAFKO.

TURKEY

25 November 1999, Joint Meeting of the Turkey British Business Council, with major conference and dinner at the Natural History Museum, to discuss and progress business opportunities. Strongly recommended to members. Further details from Matthew Hobbs, Head of the Turkey Trade Unit, Tel: 0171 215 4690 Fax: 0171 215 4366.

Contact the Turkey Trade Unit enquiry line on 0171 215 4914 for details of the full events diary of missions and seminars and a copy of the latest Turkey Campaign magazine (which includes an article on opportunities for Federation members).

For assistance on trade promotion, contact the British Chamber of Commerce of Turkey, Tel: 00 90 212 249 0420, Fax: 00 90 212 252 5551 and the Turkish British Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mrs S Atan, Tel: 0171 321 0900 Fax: 0171 321 0989.

CONNECT EGYPT - CONNECT UK

FMCEC is a co-operating Association with the organisers of Connect UK : Mission 100 - a British Trade International initiative. Egypt enjoys low inflation and high growth (in excess of 5%) and construction and building materials is one of the sectors targeted for the development of Anglo-Egyptian trade. Last year a high profile mission of 100 UK businessmen visited Egypt.

In November this year the reciprocal mission of senior Egyptian businessmen will visit the UK. A Connect Egypt Showcase featuring business briefings, advice desks and a mini-exhibition will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel, London W1 on 8-9 November.

The event is being organised by Oxygen Marketing and to participate in the showcase contact them on Tel: 0171 385 3733 or e-mail: egpt@oxygenmarketing.co.uk

THE FEDERATION'S MOST RELEVANT MINISTERS

Patricia Hewitt has taken over as Minister of State for Industry, including most of John Battle's portfolio. Richard Caborn has taken over Brian Wilson's post as Minister for Trade. Nick Raynsford has moved upwards in his department to Minister of State at Environment, Transport and the Regions. Job responsibilities will not be clarified until mid September.

SEMINARS THIS SEPTEMBER

16 September, DTI Conference Centre, London. "Central America Briefing". £25.00. Organisers are Business Link London. Contact Maria Luke on 0207 217 3199. 28 September, DTI Conference Centre, London. "Winning Business from the United Nations for Suppliers". £60.00. Tel: Annabel Fogden at the London Chamber on 0207 203 1967. 30 September, Bromley. £90.00 "Improve your Negotiating Skills". Organisers are Business Link London South, Tel: Karis Battram 0208 363 4011.

EUROPARTENARIAT BRANDENBURG '99

Catalogues are now available for the 28 and 29 October event. Early registration is most strongly advised for this unparalleled opportunity to develop partnerships with other companies in Europe and world-wide. Contact Maria McCaffery at the British Chambers of Commerce on 01203 694484.

BRITISH TRADE INTERNATIONAL

The FMCEC has submitted comments to the British Trade International Transition Team on their draft strategy document on export development and promotion. British Trade International was formed earlier this year to bring together all aspects of HMG export services under one umbrella. In order that there are no doubts about member's expectations from DTI please keep FMCEC informed of your company's export activities - successes as well as frustrations.

DANGEROUS GOODS SAFETY ADVISORS

Recent European legislation requires all companies handling or moving dangerous goods to employ the services of a certified manager who has been trained in the transport and handling of dangerous goods.

This legislation was resisted by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and others and as a result was simplified considerably but still constitutes a substantial new business requirement for many companies. Generally, those companies affected are those that are involved in the handling and transportation of goods where the vehicle involved would normally display an orange plate.

The FTA have put together a number of bespoke training packages to equip individuals with the necessary skills and the ability to pass the appropriate examinations. If sufficient members companies were interested in these training courses them it may be possible to put together a package through FMCEC's membership of RTA.

For further information contact David Monk at FMCEC or Keith Taylor, FTA Director of Personnel and Business Services Tel: 01892 552295.

SHOW BIZ

One of the FMCEC's major activities is to act a British Group sponsor for a number of DTI supported shows via the Support for Seminars and Exhibitions Abroad (SESA) scheme. Despite vigorous lobbying by the Federation the grant payable to an eligible company - of 60% of stand and construction costs - has been capped at a maximum of £2,300. Some countries do qualify for an emerging market grant which can be as much as an extra £1,200. However this is offset by the abolition of travel grants. The majority of exhibitions require a minimum group size of 10 companies to qualify for support. However some markets may qualify for niche status which allows for a smaller group or even just an information stand.

SESA supported exhibitions up to May 2000 are:

Baucon Asia 5-8 October 1999 Singapore

SMOPyC 16-20 February 2000 Zaragoza

Intermat 16-21 May 2000 Paris

Following consultation with members and the Export Marketing Group the following shows have been submitted to the DTI for SESA support. The result of the bid will be known in October.

M&T EXPO (niche) August 2000 Sao Paulo, Brazil

CTC (niche) 8-11 November 2000 Beijing

CONDEX 16-18 January 2001 Las Vegas

BAUMA 2-8 April 2001 Munich

ANKOMAK (niche) May 2001 Istanbul

BRITISH GROUP AT BAUCON ASIA

Once again the FMCEC will lead an official British Group to Baucon Asia in Singapore. SESA funding means that FMCEC members are able to have a fully fitted 12 m2 stand for only £424 (after all grants have been deducted).

1999 is the 5th Baucon Asia Exhibition, held for the first time at the new Singapore Expo Centre, Changi. Baucon covers all aspects of the construction equipment industry in addition to building materials and equipment. Visitors are drawn from all around the Pacific Rim with the majority coming from Australia and the ASEAN countries. The exhibition is exclusively for targeted trade visitors.

Despite the downturn in many Asian economies, Singapore has managed to maintain positive growth in its economy. Overall growth for the year ending December 1998 was 1.5% and predicted to rise to 3% in 2000. Imports are expected to rise to US$ 103.20 billion in 1999 and US$ 113.20 billion in 2000 (source: South East Asia Monitor).

To minimise the effects on its economy of the pan Asian financial crisis the Singapore Government has accelerated a number of major infrastructure projects (such as the extension of the light rail and sewerage projects) - good news for construction companies. The size of the Government's reserves mean that it can finance more such projects if the situation unexpectedly becomes worse. In 1998 the construction industry comprised 9.1% of Singapore's GDP. Overall UK investment in Singapore exceeds S$13 billion which equates to more than 11% of total foreign investment. The construction sector of the economy out performed many other sectors in 1998 returning a 3.9% growth rate. (Source: Singapore Economic Overview - British High Commission April 99). The FMCEC will present a British Group Information stand at Baucon Asia helping visitors source UK manufactured products and services. The FMCEC's interactive CD ROM Business Tracker will be demonstrated and free copies distributed. Trade UK - the Internet based DTI's export service - will be featured on the stand. NOTE: Display opportunities for FMCEC members are available on the British Group Information Stand. The FMCEC is able to display both literature and graphics on the stand. An enhanced lead taking service putting companies in touch with potential buyers and distributors is included in the package.

VIVA ESPANA - SMOPYC 16-20 FEBRUARY 2000

For the first time the FMCEC have been awarded DTI Support under the Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad (SESA) scheme for the SMOPyC exhibition. This will be the 11th SMOPyC Exhibition held bi-annually in Zaragoza. SMOPyC is sponsored by FMCEC's Spanish counterparts ANMOPyC and by the Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE). It is the most popular exhibition of its kind in Spain featuring all types of construction equipment and mining machinery. In 1998 SMOPyC attracted over 1,000 exhibitors and nearly 62,000 visitors from building and construction industries, public works, civil engineers, architects, importers and local and state authorities. Mr Antonio Raluy, President of the SMOPyC Steering Committee, reported that the outlook for the construction industry in Spain was good particularly in the home building sector where the rate of new home building and sales continued to be high. The Spanish Government has just announced major new infrastructure plans for the period 2000-2006 with a budget of 100,000 million Euros. The bulk of the investment was likely to be to be targeted at high-speed rail links and road-building with significant input into ports and airports. In 1998 the earth-moving sector og the construction machinery and public works markety grew by over 40% The FMCEC are holding inside space - available at the current sterling equivalent of £44/m2 - and outside space at £22/m2 pre grant. SMOPyC is fully reserved and space is in high demand. Make your reservation for SMOPyC 2000 today.

INTERMAT 2000 - GATEWAY TO THE NEW MILLENNIUM

The main focus of the FMCEC's millennium exhibitions calendar will be Intermat - again supported by the SESA scheme. Intermat will be the global fair for 2000. In 1997 FMCEC organised a British Group for nearly 50 UK companies. Intermat is billed as reflecting the changing profile of the construction market. In addition to earthmoving, lifting and handling equipment Intermat will showcase new market sectors including site security, recycling, demolition, building materials, components and accessories, service companies and plant hire. With the French economy outperforming Germany threefold - GDP rose by 2.3% over the last year - Intermat is the place to exhibit in 2000. In 1997 Intermat attracted 190,000 visitors from around the globe with 31% coming from outside the EU. In addition to the 270,000 m2 of indoor and outdoor exhibition space there is a 25,000 m2 demonstration area to showcase working construction equipment. In 1997 over 90% of visitors visited this demonstration area. Inside and outside space is available through FMCEC. A sliding scale of charges is applied depending on the area of space taken but rates start from £97/m2 for inside space and £71/m2 outside. The FMCEC can arrange for a fully fitted shell scheme or individual stand construction at reasonable rates. The organisers are currently allocating individual stand positions in the British Pavilion, (which we hope will again be in a prime location in Hall 6) other halls and outside. Over 30 UK companies have already reserved space at the show. Don't miss your prime position - apply NOW!

SED Date Change - We have been notified that Intermat and SED dates clash next year. SED have therefore changed the exhibition date to 6-8 June 2000.