HC Deb 30 June 1999 vol 334 cc166-7W
Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans his Department has to assist and co-ordinate efforts by British companies in reconstruction projects in Kosovo and the neighbouring countries. [88596]

Mr. Battle

At the Secretary of State's initiative, the Department has already established a joint Government private sector Taskforce to promote and co-ordinate the UK's response to the reconstruction arising in Kosovo; its prime objective is to ensure that the UK is co-ordinated to play their role in the rebuilding process. The Taskforce, which has already met twice, is chaired by Nigel Thompson of Ove Amp; the other private sector representatives on the Taskforce are from: AMEC, Mott MacDonald, Kennedy Construction, Taylor Woodrow, Crown Agents, British Consultants Bureau and the Confederation of British Industry.

All the private sector members of the Taskforce are well aware that they are on it as representatives of the UK business community generally, not their own companies. As all the companies represented on the Taskforce have seats on national or international bodies covering their sector interests, this is second nature to them. These industry bodies are the channels through which the messages from the Taskforce are being disseminated to the business community more generally. Indeed, to reinforce the message that the Taskforce is representing the interests of all UK companies, the minutes of its meetings are circulated freely to all interested parties.

Although in existence for only a very short time, the Taskforce is already making good progress. I am leading a group of six companies on a visit to Kosovo between 28 and 29 June to assess the initial likely reconstruction opportunities, and how best UK companies can position themselves so that they are able to play their role in the rebuilding of Kosovo. A post-mission conference, organised by my Department, is being held on 1 July so that the findings of the visit can be disseminated more widely to UK companies.

Initially, the work of the Taskforce will concentrate on Kosovo; but in due course it is hoped that it will also be able to focus on the wider region.