High Value Opportunities
UKTI presented the concept of its High Value Opportunities (HVO) programme which focuses on 100 projects worldwide each of which are over £500m in budget value and where the UK can compete for at least £250m. Its aim is to focus its resources to help UK businesses secure a proportion of these opportunities and, with projects featuring the development of airports, health facilities, sports stadia and urban regeneration, the UK furniture sector should have much to gain.
Examples of current, high profile opportunities include:
- Massive refurbishment of gaming and retail developments in Macau
- Airport developments in Dubai and a brand new multi-billion dollar programme in Abu Dhabi entitled the Midfield Terminal Complex (MTC), which will provide a full terminal building, passenger and cargo facilities, and duty free shops and restaurants.
- There is huge investment in supporting the infrastructure for Rio 2016 will include critical upgrades to the airports, ports and investment in transport to the sports venues.
Companies wishing to explore these opportunities further are advised to contact their local UKTI International Trade Adviser who will be in a position to support their ambitions and to understand the HVO opportunities relevant to their specific business.
It is also advisable to sign up to UKTI’s website for alerts on all prospective business opportunities (including HVOs) and to link up with HVO business specialists or project managers to make the next step into being considered for HVO related opportunities. This can be done by e mailing hvopteam@ukti.gsi.gov.uk and specifying the sectors and markets of interest.
Britain is Great
The premise that “Britain is Great” underpins UK Creative Industries’ ambition to double exports and inward investment. The campaign, which encompasses many different creative industry sectors, is being promoted worldwide using an instantantaneously recognisbale brand .
Whilst many of the benefits of the Britain is Great campaign may not resonate immediately with the furniture and furnishings sector, the ambition is to persuade UKTI to include “FURNISHING IS GREAT” within its promotional armoury.
However, there are still opportunities for involvement in the “Great Weeks” series of trade missions whereby companies will benefit from:
- First hand experience of the potentialopportunities for your business
- Enhanced international exposure
- Invitations for itand it’snominees toVIP gala receptions
- Alignment to UK productand brand launches
2014 Sector Themes are:
- Turkey Healthcare, Luxury, Smart Cities
20-22 May 2014 (GREAT Festival of Creativity, Turkey) - Russia Luxury, Fashion Brands, Creative, Food & Drink
27-30 May 2014 - Malaysia Retail, Food & Drink, Experience Economy
8-13 September 2014 - Mexico Creative Industries – Content & Services
11-19 October 2014 - China Food & Drink, Retail, Creative
9-15 November 2014 - Hong Kong & Macao (GREAT Festival of Creativity, Hong Kong & Macao)
18-20 November 2014 - UAE Food & Drink, Retail, Creative
February 2015 – Dates tbc
China (GREAT Festival of Creativity, Shanghai)
25-27 March 2015
More information
As highlighted at the beginning of the article the Government’s new approach to export support is to target major opportunities and to hold high impact events of relevance to specific sectors underpinned by a focussed brand. All that is needed now is for companies to embrace the export challenge and take advantage of the opportunities and exposure being generated through UKTI.
Visit HVO website: www.ukti.gov.uk/export/howwehelp
Email HVO programme team: hvopteam@ukti.gsi.gov.uk
UKTI Business Opportunities: www.ukti.gov.uk/export/howwehelp/businessopportunityalerts
Britain is Great: www.gov.uk/britainisgreat
Great Weeks: www.greatweeks.co.uk