Wales expands presence at BIG 5 as trade with UAE flourishes

Notes and media contacts

Media contacts:
Abi Dare or Gemma Hinksman
Tel: +44 (0)2920 454 590

The companies exhibiting with International Business Wales at Big 5 2007 are:

• Electrical, electronic and mechanical control specialist Advanced Electrical Systems
• Altron Communications Equipment Ltd, a market leader in CCTV mounting equipment
• Manufacturer of forklift truck attachments Contact Attachments
• Conren International, a manufacturer of epoxy and polyurethane industrial coatings for the construction industry
• Croma Shawley, a manufacturer and supplier of wireless and conventional CCTV systems and components
• Equipment Supply Services, which distributes a complete range of equipment and machinery for recycling construction and municipal waste
• Harries Automation and Control, which provides electrical equipment for commercial buildings and hotels
• IEA Environmental Ltd, which supplies systems for tankered waste reception and clean water delivery
• PPM Technology, which develops and manufactures Indoor Air Quality instruments
• Rhino Engineering, a supplier of specialized security doors capable of withstanding attacks, blasts and rams
• Riochem, a manufacturer of instruments for the analysis of water and industrial solutions
• Metallurgical testing specialist R-Tech Services
• Specialist supplier of fire, thermal and acoustic materials Siderise Holdings
• Manufacturer of metal expansion joints Teddington Engineered Solutions
• Topliss Project Management, which provides Quantity Surveying and other services to a wide range of clients, including commercial developers, public authorities, government agencies and energy providers

About International Business Wales (IBW):
International Business Wales (IBW) is the overseas trade arm of the Welsh Assembly Government. Export Assist is a £12.7 million IBW programme, aimed at small to medium sized enterprises based in the Objective 1 areas of Wales who are either first time exporters or looking to develop new international markets. It is supported by over £6 million of European Objective 1 funds, administered by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) part of the Welsh Assembly Government.

This Programme will run from October 2005 until June 2008. Since its launch by the then Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, Mr Andrew Davies, over 870 companies have registered to the programme, over £119 million of overseas business has been secured for Welsh companies and over 45 new exporters have been created.

The Programme is made of a number of core elements:

1. A team of 15 highly experienced Export Development Counsellors (EDCs) has been recruited from the private sector, each with hands on experience of international trade. Based in the Objective 1 local authority areas, the EDCs provide local support for companies to develop their international trade capabilities.

2. The support provided by the EDCs is supplemented by the skills and expertise of a team of specialist consultants, each having an enviable track record of achievement in the international trading environment. These provide a business-to-business support tailored to the companies needs.

3. In addition to the business-to-business support, there is a programme of international trade workshops, focussing on a range of international trade issues. These workshops bring companies together to share their experiences of developing their business in overseas markets.