World news story

UK trade delegation to visit Bulgaria to explore business opportunities

GREAT Mega Mission 2015 will give British companies the chance to discuss potential partnerships in Bulgaria and Romania, from 9 to 12 March.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
GREAT Mega Mission 2015

GREAT Mega Mission 2015

Around 60 top UK businesses will visit Bucharest and Sofia from 9 to 12 March as the GREAT Mega Mission 2015.

This comprehensive trade delegation will include British companies operating in 4 important sectors:

  • nuclear
  • oil and gas
  • mass transport
  • water and environment

The GREAT Mega Mission will aim to boost bilateral trade, as part of UK Trade and Investment’s (UKTI) efforts to double UK trade with Central and Eastern Europe by 2020. The Rt. Hon. Brian Wilson, the Prime Minister’s Business Ambassador and a former UK government minister, will lead the delegation.

GREAT Mega Mission 2015 will start in Bucharest on 9 and 10 March and continue to Sofia on 11 and 12 March.

Sarah Riley, Chargé d’Affaires, British Embassy Sofia, commented:

I am delighted to welcome so many leading British companies to explore the business opportunities Bulgaria has to offer. The UK considers Central and Eastern Europe to be a key region for commercial partnerships.

The GREAT Mega Mission 2015 is an excellent opportunity for the British participants to gain a better understanding of the Bulgarian market and for their Bulgarian counterparts to look at what the UK can offer in terms of expertise in the nuclear, oil and gas, transport infrastructure, and water and environment sectors.

During the 2 day stay in Sofia, the British companies will learn about local opportunities and meet potential partners. They will also meet representatives from the Government, local trade associations, major local partners and experts from each of the four priority sectors.

The programme will include one-to-one meetings between UK and Bulgarian companies which will provide an excellent platform to explore market opportunities in more depth.

Notes to Editors

About Rt. Hon. Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson is a former MP and remains a member of the Privy Council which is made up of senior serving and former politicians. Between 1997 and 2005, when he retired from politics, he held six Government posts under Tony Blair including Scottish Education Minister, UK Trade Minister, UK Energy Minster and Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Overseas Trade.

Since leaving politics, Brian has developed an extensive business and academic portfolio. He is chairman of Havana Energy, a joint venture with Cuba; a director of Celtic Football Club and chairman of Harris Tweed Hebrides. In 2011 he was named UK Global Director of the Year by the Institute of Directors. Brian Wilson is a Visiting Professor in Business and Media at Glasgow Caledonian University and an Honorary Fellow of the University of the Highlands and Islands.

About UK Trade & Investment

UKTI is the government department that helps UK-based companies of all sizes succeed in the global economy, providing them with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage.

We help businesses grow through international trade, offering expertise and contacts through our extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK’s economy – acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business. For more information on UKTI, visit www.ukti.gov.uk.

For more information about the GREAT Mega Mission 2015 please contact the local UKTI team.

Published 4 March 2015