“PARTNERS not SUPPLIERS”- UNITED KINGDOM SENDS TWO MINISTERS AND A STRONG INDUSTRY TEAM TO LAAD 2011
“Partners not just Suppliers” is the key message from the United Kingdom as they send a strong delegation to LAAD 2011 led by two Government Ministers with responsibility for Defence and Security.
Gerald Howarth MP, UK Minister for International Security Strategy, and Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones, Minister for Security and Counter Terrorism, are leading a high level team from UK Trade and Investment headed by Richard Paniguian to highlight the important strategic, defence and trade relationship between the UK and Brazil.
The UK Government delegation will be accompanied by over 25 UK companies who will be displaying and demonstrating a range of world-leading defence and security technology.
The UK’s particular capability themes include: land and maritime border security; technology to support operations; mine detection and countermeasures; chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear defence; large event security and identity management. A UKTI DSO Export Support Team with soldiers from the British Army will man a display area at the exhibition, demonstrating the UK’s willingness to share its latest operational capabilities with partners in the region.
The United Kingdom has supported the LAAD exhibition since its inception and UK companies have successfully delivered a wide-range of technology to friends and allies across South America. The UK team will be actively seeking out new business partners in Brazil and aiming to develop closer acquisition links with Government and industrial partners in the region.
Gerald Howarth MP, Minister for International Security Strategy, said:
“Following my visit to Brazil last September to sign the Anglo-Brazilian defence co-operation Treaty, I am delighted to have this further opportunity to visit Brazil accompanied by my colleague Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones, Minister for Security and Counter Terrorism, and a strong UK team. The theme for our visit is the depth of the defence relationship between the UK and Brazil, built upon three valuable partnerships: between our two forward thinking Countries; between our modern and professional Armed Forces and between our technology-rich defence industries. Our strategic relationship with Brazil is very important and one we greatly value. This was reflected in recent visits by the Foreign Secretary and Business Secretary.
We are keen to engage with the defence and security sectors in both countries to enhance this relationship through regular dialogue, partnership and technology transfer.”
Richard Paniguian, Head of UK Trade and Investment – Defence and Security Organisation, said:
“We are here to encourage UK and Brazilian companies to network and to identify areas of joint cooperation. The UK has a significant range of world-class products across the air, land, maritime and security sectors. LAAD presents an excellent opportunity for us to show the best that Britain has to offer and find common ground on which partnerships can be built. “
Note to Editors:
- UKMedia briefing is on Tuesday 12th April at 1430 on UKTI Stand 060 all media are welcome.
- Defence exports in 2009 were worth £7.2 bn making the UK the second highest defence exporter.
- UKsecurity exports in 2009 were worth £1.45 bn, making the UK the 5th most successful security exporter.
- The UK is the top destination in Europe for inward investment and second globally only to the US. According to a UN report (UNCTAD World Investment Report), it attracted a record $1.347 trillion in 2007.
- UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in international markets and targets high quality inward investment for the UK.
- For more information, please contact Adam Thomas, Senior Press Officer UKTI DSO on the UK stand O60. Tel Mobile +44 7775 817 835.
