Chi Onwurah – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2014-06-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps UK Trade and Investment has taken to encourage exports from the north east to Brazil, Angola and Mozambique and other emerging lusophone markets.

Michael Fallon

The United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI) North East trade team has developed a programme called “Access to Brazil in North East”, which is aimed at support companies in the North East to link with Brazil. It is managed for UKTI by the North East Chamber of Commerce. The programme is also supported by European Regional Development Fund funding. A key element of the programme, as part of a Olympics legacy, is about building a relationship with North East Brazil. When the UK’s North East Brazil consul (Recife) was opened, a group of North East companies were part of the launch event. A number of market visits have taken place since then. The next visit by North East companies to Brazil is planned for October 2014, with an event involving the Consul from Recife on 10 July.

UKTI North East have worked with 165 companies regarding opportunities in the Brazilian market.

For Angola and Mozambique UKTI has identified an increasing number of opportunities in Africa for North East companies, particularly in the oil and gas sectors. UKTI North East has worked with 25 Companies on opportunities in Angola and 10 companies in Mozambique.

UKTI North East is working with the lead FCO Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, on a visit to North East in late July to promote opportunities in Africa. A programme is currently being prepared.