This summer Open to Export and the Institute of Export are running two sessions on managing risk in emerging markets as part of the Beyond the EU series. This is part of our joint efforts to help UK businesses embrace the opportunities of a more ‘Global Britain’ following Brexit while mitigating against the risks involved in new markets.
Webinar: Managing corruption risk in markets beyond the EU
Brook Horowitz of IBLF Global and Robert Wilson from Exiger, presented on ‘Managing corruption risk in markets beyond the EU’ on May 9th.
These markets are among the most likely destinations of UK exports outside the EU post-Brexit and they provide growth opportunities and exposure to corrupt practices in almost equal measure. For UK companies, subject to strict ethical standards and needing to comply with legislation such as the UK Bribery Act, there is a bewildering array of legal and enforcement regimes. Furthermore, there are many different cultures of business based on age-old traditions and ethical norms, which are very different from our own.
Brook, accompanied by a forensic investigator specialising in corporate compliance and anti-corruption law, discuss how exporters can navigate their way through the minefield of anti-corruption legislation and protect themselves from solicitation from corrupt officials and business partners in high-growth, high-risk markets.
Managing risk and opportunities in emerging markets
He will then be leading an Institute of Export and International Trade day course on ‘Managing risk and opportunities in emerging markets’ on May 25, London.
From the already well established BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) to the less familiar MINTs (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey), these markets present British companies with the tempting prospect of rapidly growing populations, a growing though under-supplied middle class, a new generation of urban consumers wanting to improve their life style and quality of life, and large national investment projects. As Europe remains stagnant, here is the chance for British companies to pin their longer-term success to some of the fastest growing and most exciting markets that the world has ever known.
At the same, these same high-growth markets have a high level of risk, and exporters need to build a risk management programme into their go-to-market strategies. Aside from political risk (for example regime change, social and political unrest or unseating of the head-of-state), there are less obvious risks such as economic volatility due to excessive dependence on extractives, raw materials or commodities. Many of these countries are ruled by authoritarian regimes, which can make sudden decisions on tariffs, quotas or foreign exchange which can dramatically affect terms of trade. Finally there is the important issue of different cultures of business based on age-old traditions, and ethical norms which are very different from our own. In particular, one of the highest risks for British companies is dealing with the corruption that is endemic at every level of society, business and government.
The course will explore these issues – and more – through case studies from some of the main emerging markets, role-playing, negotiation simulation, and a lively exchange of best practice, which will equip exporters to approach the new markets with renewed confidence.
Who is delivering the course and webinar?
Brook Horowitz (course and webinar) is a consultant in international trade, and is CEO of IBLF Global, an NGO which promotes responsible business practices in emerging and developing markets. He has worked in many of the emerging markets and was with GE in Russia and Eastern Europe throughout most of the nineties.
Robert Wilson (webinar) is a Director with Exiger, a consultancy for compliance and risk management. He focuses on fraud, bribery and corruption and financial crime investigations, and was previously head of anti-bribery and anti-corruption with GSK.
For the course, Brook will be joined, in person or live video link, by a group of outstanding practitioners of business with, and from, some of the world’s most exciting and challenging markets:
- China: Tim Nash, MD of Access China Limited, a consultancy that helps UK businesses to engage successfully with China. With 30 years of professional experience in China, business, technology and education, he has worked across the private and public sectors, with multinationals and start-ups.
- Turkey: Sevdil Yıldırım, Independent Board Member of TAV Airports Holding Co., Akfen Group, Tepe Group, Is Real Estate Investment Trust and Denizli Glass (of Sisecam Holding). She has managed several major investment funds and venture capital projects in Turkey, the Middle East and with China.
- Vietnam: Vinh Nguyen, Deputy Secretary General of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI). Vinh has been a leading light in promoting Vietnam’s international trade and attracting foreign direct investment for over 25 years.
- Russia: Luc Jones, Partner and Commercial Director of Antal Russia. Luc is a well-known labour market and recruitment expert in Russia/CIS having lived in Moscow since 2002. He’s written two guides to business in Russia: “Guide to Successful hiring in Russia/CIS”, and “Why Russians don’t Smile”.
