2 Presentation title - edit in the Master slide EMERGING EUROPE – “OPPORTUNITIES CLOSE TO HOME” A Strategic Opportunity for Black Country Business Jonathan Allen HM Ambassador to Bulgaria 22 nd November 2013

3 1. What is Emerging Europe?  A region stretching from Austria to Romania, from Poland to Croatia  110 million consumers  A combined GDP of over £ 1 trillion  Easy and inexpensive access – located just 2-3 hours from the UK  Potential to double exports by 2020  All EU regulated, part of the EU’s Single Market  Lower overall risk profile than emerging markets further from the UK  Proven market for UK businesses

4 Average Annual GDP Growth Forecast (%) CEE Average Dev. World Asia Latin America Sustainable Medium-term Growth......on a par with other emerging economies Source: HSBC The World in 2050

5 3. Main Challenges  Outdated perceptions of the region among business in the UK  Bureaucracy  Transparency  Strong and increasing competition

6 4. Doing Business in Emerging Europe Ease of Doing BusinessCorruption Perceptions World Bank Ease of Doing Business Survey 2013, rankings Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2012 – rankings from 1-174

7 5. A Competitive Marketplace  The UK barely manages 3% of Emerging Europe’s total imports  We are lagging behind Germany, Italy and France PolandRomania Czech Republic Hungary 1. Germany 2. RussiaItalyChinaRussia 3. The Netherlands HungaryPolandChina 4. ItalyFranceSlovakiaAustria UK? 19 th 11 th 29 th 14 th Source: CIA Fact book Source of Imports Disappointing…but a real opportunity!.

8 6. Emerging Europe Energy  Energy sector less affected by downturn  Seven out of the top ten companies are energy and resource companies with revenue growth figures from 5% to 45% higher*  In ten years energy consumption grew by 10% in the region, and is expected to increase even further – 30% growth in demand by 2030 compared to the OECD average of 4%**  Countries are upgrading existing facilities, diversifying their overall energy mix and modernising grids  The region is a significant recipient of EU funding The modernisation of the energy sector in the nine markets of Emerging Europe is the single largest opportunity in the region for UK business. *Deloitte Central Europe Top 500 report, ** BP Energy Outlook

9 7. British Success Stories *Deloitte Central Europe Top 500 report, ** BP Energy Outlook Extracting natural gas in the Black Sea EUR 140 million invested since % of Bulgaria’s natural gas consumption 60% of $189 million gas production revenues in 2011 High level and sustained support from FCO/UKTI/Embassy (Kavarna East production concession August 2012)

10 8. British Success Stories *Deloitte Central Europe Top 500 report, ** BP Energy Outlook William Hughes Ltd Wire form and spring making for aerospace and automotive Factory near Plovdiv since 2003 Complementary UK & Bulgarian production facilities (more strings to the bow/better chance of winning contracts)

11 9. Driving Growth in Emerging Europe  The region is underexploited by UK firms. If we matched the trading performance of our main European competitors, an additional £30 billion could be added to the UK’s GDP  Our regional sector specialists mean one point of entry for the nine countries  Write to us at  Or visit the Emerging Europe landing page on UKTI’s website

Emerging Europe Mega-Mission Thank you for listening.  Save the Date: 3rd to 7th of March 2014  Be a part of the GREAT Emerging Europe Trade Show  5 Cities in 5 Days  For more information