About this event

Over the last few years, The Department for International Trade (DIT) has supported exporters in securing business in one or more Asia Pacific regions. They would be delighted to invite you to an exclusive roundtable discussion on the Asia Pacific region hosted by Sam Myers – Her Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for APAC (ASEAN) and Sarah Leonard, Regional Manager for the Export Support Service – Asia Pacific.

Asia Pacific is the engine room of the global economy and the focal point for the UK’s trade ambitions. Over the last three years, the UK has negotiated three new Free Trade Agreements (Japan, Australia, and New Zealand) and three continuity agreements (Vietnam, South Korea, and Singapore), and the world’s most comprehensive digital trade agreement (the UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement). The UK is the first new Dialogue Partner to ASEAN in 25 years and is looking to position itself as the natural partner of choice on de-carbonisation in Asia Pacific following COP26.

By 2030, Southeast Asia’s economy is predicted to eclipse Japan’s and be the world’s 4th largest single market after the EU, US, and China. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) predicts that the size of the middle class in emerging Asia will increase from 24% of the population in 2010 to 65% in 2030 and that is driving new consumer demands for many products.

Join this event to hear the latest developments in terms of both trade policy and practical support available with the launch of the Export Support Service for Asia Pacific in April this year.

Speakers

Sam Myers

Sam Myers is responsible for the trade and investment relationship between ASEAN and the UK. He is based in Singapore and leads a team of 90 staff across the region working in British Embassies and High Commissions to support UK businesses.

Before joining DIT, he spent 6 years in Asia with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, boosting science and technology partnerships with Southeast Asia and China. Sam has also worked for the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, where he was head of UK Science Policy and Relations. He deputised for Natalie Black as HMTC while she was on maternity leave. He is therefore very well positioned to share high-level insights with Midlands firms interested in ASEAN markets or from the tech and health and life sciences sectors.

Sarah Leonard

Sarah Leonard has been DIT APAC’s point woman in the UK for the last year and was recently appointed as the Regional Manager for ESS-APAC. She’ll be relocating to Ho Chi Minh City later this year to be a more hands-on Hub manager.

She has previously lived and worked in Asia Pacific and travelled extensively within the region. The Export Support Service – Asia Pacific is the new global in-market export support service for UK exporters. With market advisers based in countries in the Asia Pacific region, the Export Support Service will provide practical export advice for all business sectors from across the UK through one-to-one consultations and off-the-shelf market reports.

Who this event is suitable for

This event is suitable for all British companies with a vested interest in exporting goods and services to markets across Asia Pacific.

Further information

The event will take place on 7th September at the DIT Offices in central Birmingham from 11:00 to 12:30.

Places are very limited so priority will be given to companies either already active in or seriously interested in the region. If you wish to express interest in attending, please click the link below to complete their short RSVP survey or email Andy Smith with any specific questions: andy.smith@trade.gov.uk