Business secretary Vince Cable and foreign secretary William Hague have launched a UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) campaign to encourage more British companies to export to Asia’s high-growth and emerging markets.

As part of the campaign, UKTI has joined forces with the RBS Group to deliver a series of programmes that will demonstrate key business opportunities across 12 Asian markets to UK firms.

The events will be held around the country in February and will focus on China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. 

Vince Cable, who is co-chair of the Asia Task Force, said: "British businesses are already succeeding in many markets across Asia. I saw this first hand during a recent visit to Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam, and on previous visits to Japan, Korea, China and India.

"In the last year, our exports to the 12 markets in this campaign were worth £25bn, though we are still well below potential. The government’s recent decision to allocate an additional £45m to international trade promotion will help more medium-sized exporters and will also double the number of SMEs UKTI supports from 25,000 to 50,000.

“I urge companies from all sectors to get involved in this campaign, and see what opportunities Asia could hold for them.”

Foreign secretary William Hague said: “There can be no doubt of the importance of Asian markets, as the world’s focus shifts from West to East. By 2030, spending by Asian consumers is expected to be around $32 trillion annually, or about 43% of worldwide consumption. So, the economic compass of British businesses should be pointing firmly East, and we are determined to support them in their efforts.

“This is commercial diplomacy in action. Around 20 of our senior diplomats, with enormous commercial experience in these markets, will team up with business leaders who have been there and done it. Together, they will give face-to-face advice to UK business on how they can succeed in Asia.”

Scott Barton, chief executive of global transactions services at RBS, said: “Together with UKTI, we want to encourage British businesses to do business in Asia. The Asian markets offer extensive and diverse growth potential for UK companies.  Businesses still need a helping hand to demystify trading with Asia. We hope this campaign will make a real difference in helping firms of all sizes succeed in Asia." 

During the campaign, which runs until March 2013, UKTI will hold  a programme of events and develop practical guides to ensure businesses gain the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in the Asian markets, starting with a Smart Cities of the Future in Asia publication.

In addition, a search will be launched in February to find and promote the most inspiring British businesses currently exporting to Asia, to motivate other UK businesses to follow their lead. 

Flagship UKTI campaign events in February 2012 will be:

• Explore Asia - a world of opportunities for UK companies conference on 9 February 2012 at Central Hall, Westminster. 
• A fact-packed, practical day of business masterclasses, market clinics and networking.  UK companies already succeeding in Asia will be celebrated and the showcase search launched.  The final research findings of the Smart Cities of the future in Asia: The Opportunities for UK business report will also be announced.
• Regional Doing Business in Asia events. These four events, hosted by RBS around the country, will bring together UKTI market specialists and experts from RBS, allowing businesses access to export advice in their local area.

This campaign builds on a number of recent visits to the region by senior ministers and a series of  Asia-focused announcements by the coalition government, including:

• The UK-ASEAN Business Council to sit alongside the China-Britain Business Council and UK-India Business Council to help UK SMEs succeed in these markets.
• Backing plans for ambitious EU free trade agreements with India, Japan, and Singapore and other ASEAN countries. 
• A network shift of FCO resources announced by the Foreign Secretary in May 2011, including: strengthening frontline staff in China by up to 50 and in India by 30; a substantial expansion in Indonesia; and additional staff in a number of other emerging powers.
• Targets to double trade with India, and increase trade with China to US$100bn by 2015. 
• New government-to-government trade dialogues with Singapore and Indonesia, building on those we already have with other Asian markets.