To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to (a) Lithuania, (b) Malawi, (c) Malaysia and (d) Mauritius; and what future trade delegations are planned. [76544]
(a) Lithuania—I will be leading a trade mission to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania from 26 to 30 April 1999. The mission will look at opportunities for British companies in ports and railways development and it is hoped that more than 15 high level British companies will take part in the mission. This is the first occasion that a Government Minister has led a trade delegation to the Baltic States during this administration.
| Date | Trade missions |
| April 1999 | Agricultural sector working group mission to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan |
| October 1999 | Infrastructure and Energy projects Directorate oil and gas trade mission to Kazakhstan |
| October 1999 | British Water Trade mission to Kazakhstan |
| March 2000 | British Consultants Trade mission to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan |
(c) The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale), led a mission of British Water companies to Lebanon in December 1998. My Department plans to support five trade missions to Lebanon in the financial year 1999–2000:
Date
| Trade missions
|
| 11–24 April 1999 | Business Link Gloucester |
| 18–22 May 1999 | Middle East Association |
| 3–15 October 1999 | Business Link Milton Keynes |
| 16–24 November 1999 | Nottingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
| January 2000 | Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
(d) There have been no Minister-led trade delegations to Lesotho and there are no plans for one in the future.
(b) Malawi—There have been no Minister-led trade delegations by a Government Minister in this Administration and none are currently planned.
(c) Malaysia—The last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to Malaysia was in September 1995 by the then President of the Board of Trade, Ian Lang.
Thirteen DTI sponsored trade missions are planned during FY 1999–2000.
(d) Mauritius—There have been no trade delegations led by a Government Minister in this Administration. Future DTI supported outward trade missions to Mauritius are planned for July 1999, November 1999 and March 2000.
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to (a) Kazakhstan, (b) Kyrgyzstan, (c) Lebanon and (d) Lesotho; and what future trade delegations are planned. [76541]
(a-b) The last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to Kazakhstan and/or Kyrgyzstan was when Viscount Goschen, then Minister for Aviation and Shipping, led a delegation to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan between 9–16 September 1995.There are no firm plans for future trade delegations led by a Minister to visit either country. The Department of Trade and Industry plans to support 4 trade missions to Kazakhstan in 1999–2000, two of which will visit Kyrgyzstan. They are as follows:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to (a) Colombia, (b) Cuba, (c) Cyprus, (d) Dominica and (e) the Dominican Republic; and what future trade delegations are planned. [76526]
The then Minister for Trade led a trade delegation to Colombia in 1996. There are no plans for another Minister-led trade delegation in the near future. The following trade missions are planned:
| Date | Trade missions |
| May 1999 | ABHI/LATAG |
| September 1999 | British and Colombian Chamber of Commerce |
| November 1999 | London Chamber of Commerce |
| March 2000 | Northern Development Company |
| Date | |
| BEAMA | 14–18 June 1999 |
| Birmingham Chamber of Commerce | 27 September-1 October 1999 |
| British and Chilean Chamber of Commerce | 22–26 November 1999 |
| London Chamber of Commerce | 20–26 March 2000 |
Qatar
The former Minister for Trade led a trade delegation to Qatar in November 1997.
Date
| |
| Northern Development Company | 5–7 February 2000 |
| Middle East Association | 26–28 February 2000 |
| East Mercia Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 1–3 April 2000 |
| Rotherham Business Link | 9–11 April 2000 |
Saudi Arabia
The last occasion a Government Minister led a trade delegation to Saudi Arabia was in November 1995.
Date
| |
| Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 18–27 September 1999 |
| Middle East Association | 15–25 October 1999 |
| Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 18–28 November 1999 |
| Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 25 January-3 February 2000 |
| London Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 29 February-9 March 2000 |
| Business Link Rotherham | 26 March-4 April 2000 |
Singapore
I led a trade delegation to Singapore in October 1998.
Date
| |
| The Scottish Council for Development and Industry | 19–23 April 1999 |
| Defence Manufacturers Association | 3–7 May 1999 |
| East Mercia Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 10–14 May 1999 |
| Business Link Shropshire | 21–25 June 1999 |
| BESA | 28 June-2 July 1999 |
| Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce | 20–24 September 1999 |
| Business Link Kent | 27 September-1 October 1999 |
| Manchester Chamber of Commerce | 5–29 October 1999 |
| Southern Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce | 1–5 November 1999 |
| Northern Development Company | 22–26 November 1999 |
| Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry | January 2000 (tbc) |
| Luton and Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce | 7–11 February 2000 |
| North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce | 28 February-3 March 2000 |
| Business Link Sheffield | 27–31 March 2000 |
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to (a) Peru, (b) Qatar, (c) Saudi Arabia and (d) Singapore; and what future trade delegations are planned. [76556]
The information is as follows:
Peru
The last occasion a Government Minister led a trade delegation to Peru was November 1996.
My Department plans to support four trade missions to Peru in the financial year 1999–2000
My Department is planning to support four trade missions to Qatar in the financial year 1999–2000:
My Department is planning to support six trade missions to Saudi Arabia in 1999–2000.
My Department is planning to support 14 trade missions to Singapore in 1999–2000:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to (a) Japan, (b) Jordan, (c) Kenya and (d) Kuwait; and what future trade delegations are planned. [76538]
The information is as follows:
| Date | |
| British Nuclear Industry Forum | 5–15 April 1999 |
| British Tourist Authority | 11–17 April 1999 |
| Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Industry | May 1999 (tba) |
| Motor Sport Industries Association | 17–21 May 1999 |
| JTA/Exports to Japan Unit | 24–28 May 1999 |
| British Knitting and Clothing Export Council | 31 May-4 June 1999 (tbc) |
| Aromatherapy Trade Council | June 1999 (tbc) |
| Birmingham Chamber of Commerce | 7–11 June 1999 |
| London Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 14–18 June 1999 (tbc) |
| British Airports Group | 21–23 June 1999 |
| The National Wool Textile Export Corporation | 21–25 June 1999 |
| The British Council | Between September 1999 and March 2000 (tba) |
| Export Action Centre for Building Materials | September 1999 (tba) |
| JTA/Exports to Japan Unit | September 1999 (tba) |
| Northern Development Company | 6–10 September 1999 |
| JTA/Department of Trade and Industry | Autumn 1999 (tba) |
| The British Council (Education Counselling Service) | 1–11 October 1999 |
| British Jewellery and Giftware Federation | 11–15 October 1999 |
| Energy Industries Council | 2–5 November 1999 |
| British Knitting and Clothing Export Council | November 1999 (tba) |
| Food From Britain | November 1999 (tba) |
| The Federation of Garden and Leisure Manufacturers Ltd. | November 1999 (tba) |
| The Scottish Council For Development and Industry | 15–19 November 1999 |
| Wolverhampton Chamber of Commerce, Trading and Enterprise | November 1999 (tba) |
| JTA/Exports to Japan Unit | November 1999 (tba) |
| Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders | November 1999 (tba) |
| North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry | January 2000 (tbc) |
| Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry | late January 2000 |
| British Marine Industries Federation | February 2000 (tba) |
| Publishers Association | 14–16 February 2000 |
| British Furniture Manufacturers | March 2000 (tba) |
| Bedfordshire and Luton Chamber of Commerce | March 2000 (tba) |
| Business Link Kent | March 2000 (tba) |
| Federation of British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufactures' Association | March 2000 (tba) |
| JEBA/JTA/Exports to Japan Unit | tba |
| JTA/Exports to Japan Unit | tba |
| JTA/Exports to Japan Unit | tba |
| JTA/Exports to Japan Unit | tba |
Jordan
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department of the Environment, my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale) led a trade delegation to Jordan from 5–8 December 1998.
Date
| |
| Middle East Association | 24May-9 June 1999 |
| South of England Exporters Association | 19–22 September 1999 |
| Business Link Milton Keynes and North Bucks | 3–15 October 1999 |
| Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the British Consultants Bureau | 20–22 November 1999 |
| Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry | January 2000 (tbc) |
Kenya
There have been no recent Minister-led trade delegations to Kenya.
My Department is planning to support one trade mission to Kenya in the financial year 1999–2000.
Business Link Sussex 1–10 February 2000.
Japan
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Kilbride (Mr. Ingram) led a trade delegation to Japan from 15–27 March 1998.
My Department plans to support 38 trade missions to Japan in the financial year 1999/2000:
My Department is planning to support five trade missions to Jordan in the financial year 1999–2000.
Kuwait
There have been no recent Minister-led trade delegations to Kuwait. However, Kuwait has been visited by many UK Ministers and I plan to visit next month.
My Department plans to support three trade missions to Kuwait in the financial year 1999–2000.
Date
| |
| Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 11–13 September 1999 |
| Sheffield International Trade Centre | 2–4 November 1999 |
| Middle East Association | 18–21 February 2000 |
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to (a) Ecuador, (b) Egypt, (c) Estonia and (d) Gambia; and what future trade delegations are planned. [76529]
| Date | |
| North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce | 16–20 May 1999 |
| Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry | June 1999 |
| Business Link Sussex | 12–16 September 1999 |
| South of England Exporters Association | 19–29 September 1999 |
| Northern Ireland Development Company | 28 November-2 December 1999 |
| London Chamber of Commerce | 30 January-3 February 2000 |
| The Guage and Toolmakers Association | February 2000 |
| Business Link Barnsley and Doncaster | Date to be confirmed |
Estonia
I will be leading a trade mission to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania from 26 to 30 April 1999. The mission will look at opportunities for British companies in ports and railways development and it is hoped that more than 15 high level British companies will take part in the mission.
No other trade missions are being passed by my Department.
Gambia
There have been no recent Minister-led trade delegations to the Gambia.
My Department has no plans to support any trade missions to the Gambia.
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to (a) Algeria, (b) Argentina, (c) Australia, (d) Bahrain and (e) Bangladesh; and what future trade delegations are planned. [76520]
| Date | |
| The Northern Offshore Federation | 19–23 April 1999 |
| The Sports Industries Federation | 21–25 June 1999 |
| Association of British Healthcare Industries | 5–9 July 1999 |
| Business Link Sussex | 30 August-3 September 1999 |
| Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 20–24 September 1999 |
| Northern Development Company | 4–8 October 1999 |
| North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 18–22 October 1999 |
| Australia and New Zealand Trade Advisory Committee (ANZTAC) | 22–26 November 1999 |
| Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 7–11 February 2000 |
| Business Link Shropshire | 13–17 March 2000 |
| Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 20–24 March 2000 |
| The Scottish Council Development and Industry (SCDI) | date not yet decided |
The information is as follows:
Ecuador
There have been no recent Minister-led trade delegations to Ecuador.
My Department has no plans to support any trade missions to Ecuador.
Egypt
I led a trade delegation to Egypt in February 1999.
My Department is planning to support eight trade missions to Egypt in the financial year 1999–2000:
There has been no Minister-led trade mission to Algeria during the past 10 years. There are no trade missions planned for Algeria.My hon. Friend the Minister for Transport in London, led a trade delegation to Argentina in July 1998. There are 8 trade missions planned to Argentina during the next financial year:
| Date | |
| Trade International Northern Ireland | April 1999 |
| Latin American Trade Advisory Group/ABHI | May 1999 |
| Northern Development Company | May 1999 |
| Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry | July 1999 |
| Southern Derbyshire Chamber/BL North Derbyshire | September 1999 |
| Birmingham Chamber of Industry and Commerce | November 1999 |
| British Argentine Chamber of Commerce | November 1999 |
| London Chamber of Commerce and Industry | March 2000 |
My hon. Friend the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs opened a British Week event in November last year in Bangladesh. One trade mission is planned this year:
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry
6–13 November 1999.
The last visit by a Minister to Bahrain was undertaken by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment, the hon. Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Mudie), in November 1997. The following four missions are planned for the coming year:
Date
| |
| Coventry and Worcester Chamber of Commerce | 28–30 September 1999 |
| Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce International | 22–24 January 2000 |
| Middle East Association | 22–25 February 2000 |
| Rotherham Business Link | 5–8 April 2000 |
I commend the hon. Member to the Overseas Trade Services website (http://www.dti.gov.uk/ots) on which a list of future missions, seminars and trade fairs is displayed for all our major markets.