EIC Energy Industries Council : hosts Westminster round table with the RH Greg Hands, Minister of State for International Trade, and UK energy supply chain companies

16 January, 2017

On 16 January, the EIC, the leading trade association for UK companies that supply goods and services to the energy industries worldwide, held a round table with the RH Greg hands, Minister of State for International Trade, Department for International Trade (DIT) representatives and 12 CEOs from EIC member companies representing the full range of energy sectors and organisations of all sizes.

The meeting covered high level energy industry issues, focusing particularly on the challenges that British suppliers to local and global energy sectors are facing.

Minister of State for International Trade Greg Hands said, 'As we build new trading relationships, the UK's energy sector is well placed to seize on export and investment opportunities from growing international markets. The DIT is on hand to support firms large and small providing, for example, US$400m of financial support in the last week to make sure UK companies are leading new oil and gas exploration in Ghana.

'As global energy demand increases and new production becomes possible, the UK can help lead the world towards cleaner and more secure power.'

Commenting on the round table, EIC CEO Stuart Broadley said, 'The EIC welcomes continued engagement from the Minister and DIT officials. The round table provided a great forum for a cross section of supply chain companies to voice their experiences and challenges of exporting and expanding into overseas markets. We look forward to working with the government to tackle the issues raised and maintain the global competitiveness of UK companies.'

The EIC and DIT have a long history of working together to support UK energy supply chain companies expand into new markets around the world, with this round table being the first of many planned as the government works towards publishing its strategy for the energy industry.