Bicester: New UKTI appointment to help South East firms exporting to Africa

South East businesses are set to benefit from specialist sub-Saharan African export advice, with the appointment of a new locally-based adviser to government export body UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) South East. 

Bicester-based Peter Wright joins the 37-strong team of international trade advisers across the South East, helping to drive through the Government’s agenda of encouraging more businesses to export.

Wright will provide specialist advice on markets in sub-Saharan Africa, from Angola to Zimbabwe, based on his extensive experience in management consultancy, business management and marketing across the region.

For the past 19 years he has run a management consultancy firm, providing market analysis and helping clients develop and implement market entry strategies. He has worked extensively across sub-Saharan Africa including setting up and rolling out a pan-African satellite TV service servicing subscribers in more than 25 countries.

He is looking forward to sharing his knowledge with local firms. He said: "We keep hearing about a global downturn, but it’s actually a European and North American problem. Many countries in other parts of the world such as South America, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, are growing rapidly and offering fantastic opportunities for UK business.

“The main opportunities come from the high growth of these markets, which have a rapidly expanding middle-class beginning to spend their increasing levels of disposable income.”

Latest statistics released by HMRC show that for the South East sales to Sub-Saharan Africa are at their highest-ever level, reaching £2.2 billion in 2012.

He continued: "There are huge opportunities as infrastructure is developed in these regions, alongside aid-related opportunities.

“A lot of people are put off the sub-Saharan area because they think it will be too difficult and too unstable to conduct business there successfully. But with the right advice and local intelligence, which we can provide, it is a great market offering many opportunities. We need to become involved now because our international competitors are moving quickly to service the needs of these new markets.

Wright said exporting and exploring new countries can be highly enjoyable. "I began working in Africa by accident, because client projects took me there, then like many other people I began to fall in love with the continent – it’s a wonderful place.

“The biggest mistake however is to think of Africa as a whole. There are different cultures and customs to be aware of in each country and you need specific business advice depending on where you are targeting.

"There are many innovative businesses in the South East with products and services that buyers across this continent are looking for. With effective planning and quality advice companies can mitigate risks and achieve their full potential trading."

UKTI has 2,400 staff across the globe and a presence in 96 countries.