§ Mr. RathboneTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what the Government are doing to encourage investment in central and eastern European countries;
(2) what special help the Government are giving through export guarantees or other means to encourage British exporters to central and eastern European countries.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe Department of Trade and Industry is doing its best to keep up to date with changes in the legal48W and fiscal framework for business in each of the countries of central and eastern Europe and is disseminating this information to interested companies. In addition, the Department seeks to make available to British business information on specific export and investment opportunities in those countries; and to encourage them to take full advantage of the assistance offered by the United Kingdom know-how fund as well as schemes of assistance operated by the EC and multilateral institutions.
The Export Credits Guarantee Department also assists and encourages exporters and investors. Export credit guarantees to encourage British exports to central and eastern Europe are available to the extent considered justifiable for particular markets within ECGD's normal underwriting criteria. The position is kept under regular review. Also, as recently announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, ECGD is prepared to consider applications to cover from United Kingdom concerns wishing to invest in those countries under its investment insurance scheme.