BPF hails UKTI’s plan to boost UK Exports

The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has welcomed the increased support for the active promotion of UK exports and inward investment through the ambitious five year Strategy, ‘Britain Open for Business’, unveiled by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) this week.

Philip Law, BPF’s Public and Industrial affairs Director said: ‘In all the areas of UK competitive advantage identified by the UKTI  the UK plastics industry scores heavily. In particular Advanced Manufacturing would be impossible without the flexible approaches and design freedom plastics make possible'.

He added   ‘Inward investment has been crucial to the health of UK plastics processing. To win back end users who will use locally manufactured plastics products is a great objective to have but the government will have to ensure that it has a world- beating incentive package and nurtures a positive climate for manufacturing here with a much lighter regulatory and fiscal regime’.

 Lord Stephen Green, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, recently wrote to the BPF commenting on the Federation’s pioneering presence in overseas activity. He said   ‘I am pleased that the BPF has a good relationship with UKTI through our Advanced Engineering team and your use of the Tradeshow Access Programme’, adding   ‘Your commitment to activity with UKTI in the growth economies of China, Turkey, Vietnam and India is welcome. I also appreciate the personal support you have given to the UK/China Chemicals Working Group’.

Next week the BPF sets out on a mission to Guangzhou, China for the largest Asian Pacific plastics and rubber trade fair, Chinaplas 2011. Philip Law will join a high-profile line-up of speakers at the Eco-Friendly Plastics Conference to promote bio-based and degradable plastics. 

Law said, ‘BPF has been exhibiting in China since the 1980’s and we intend to amplify our UK expertise and the capabilities of our member firms. Staunch are our numerous strengths in the sustainable manufacturing of plastics products, crossing energy efficiency, recyclate use or bio-based and degradable materials. Aboard will be a strong contingent of machinery and equipment suppliers for whom we have set up networking meetings for with potential buyers’. 

The BPF are set to maximise exposure of the UK plastics industry’s advances and competence in sustainability by distributing the Chinese version of the ‘Sustainable Manufacturing: A Guide for the Plastics Industry’.