§ Mr. PearsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what programmes and resources British Trade International and his Department have to support companies which wish to make investments in Central and Eastern Europe; [97865]
(2) what programmes and resources British Trade International and his Department have to assist companies looking into the feasibility of making investments in Central and Eastern Europe. [97864]
§ Mr. BattleCompanies wishing to invest in Central and Eastern Europe, like those exporting to those markets, are supported by a variety of British Trade International schemes. These include support for inward and outward trade missions, trade fairs and promotional seminars, and the Export Marketing Research Scheme which is being extended to cover better the needs of outward investors.
This year British Trade International's budget for promoting trade and investment opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe is £3.5 million.