HC Deb 20 March 1991 vol 188 cc157-8W
29. Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's role in helping British firms to play a part in the reconstruction of Kuwait.

Mr. Lilley

The Kuwait reconstruction co-ordination team in my Department is working closely with industry to help develop links with the Kuwaiti authorities responsible for planning and implementing reconstruction and to disseminate information about opportunities. A number of DTI/industry sectoral groups have been set up for this purpose to cover the areas most relevant to Kuwait's likely requirements. A prospectus setting out the experience and capabilities of United Kingdom industry and listing more than 160 companies was presented to the Government of Kuwait by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 9 February. The DTI has also helped set up a small team of business representatives in Kuwait to promote British industry's interests, and one of my officials accompanied a group of senior business men on a visit to Kuwait on 10 and 11 March. A list is being compiled of companies which have expressed an interest in reconstruction work.

35. Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the investment of United Kingdom firms in the reconstruction of Kuwait.

Mr. Lilley

Many British companies wish to take part in the reconstruction of Kuwait and have invested considerable time and resources in developing proposals and in responding to invitations to tender. The DTI is helping British firms to establish working relations with the Kuwaiti authorities which warmly welcome British interest in participating in the reconstruction process.

Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by when his Department hopes to have created a database of British companies interested in competing for contracts with the Government of Kuwait after the initial emergency programme; and if he will list the companies included, by category.

Mr. Sainsbury

[holding answer 14 March 1991]: About 2,500 companies are now registered on the data base. My Department is still receiving many inquries from companies wishing to register their interests. For reasons of commercial confidentiality, I cannot reveal their names.