§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is provided by British embassies to businesses wishing to work in Francophone Africa. [47332]
§ Mr. FatchettBritish Embassies assist businesses wishing to work in Francophone Africa by providing information on overseas markets and finding local business contacts. They also help to promote products and services, give political and economic briefings, and assist British companies that wish to participate in trade fairs and missions. For instance, the British Embassy in Cote d'Ivoire and the DTI organised a trade fair and financial conference on 2–7 March this year. This was the largest UK trade promotion event in tropical Francophone Africa in the last ten years.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is provided by British high commissions to businesses wishing to work in Anglophone Africa. [47331]
§ Mr. FatchettBritish High Commissions assist businesses wishing to work in Anglophone Africa by providing information on overseas markets and finding local business contacts. They also help to promote products and services, give political and economic briefings, and assist British companies who wish to participate in trade fairs and missions.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is provided by the High Commission in South Africa to British exporters and investors. [47334]
§ Mr. FatchettThe British High Commission in South Africa provides a full range of overseas trade services to British exporters and investors. In addition, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, together with the South African Minister for Trade and Industry, launched on 27 May, a new three-year campaign—"Britain and South Africa—partners in opportunity". This will include developing a gateway website about South Africa for potential exporters, and a new search and matching process "Active Partners", to match small and medium-sized firms in the UK and South Africa. My hon. Friend the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry will also lead a trade and investment mission to South Africa from 27 to 29 July, and my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will co-host with the72W South African Minister for Trade and Industry a "Partnership Week" in Johannesburg from 14 to 17 September 1998.