Private sector economic development body Opportunity North East (ONE) and Scottish Development International (SDI) are partnering to help oil, gas and energy supply chain companies internationalise through export knowledge exchange.
ONE and SDI are launching the export knowledge exchange programme to bring seasoned and aspiring exporters together to share experiences, insights and opportunities and increase the volume of supply chain exports to global oil and gas markets.
Doubling the value of oil, gas and energy supply chain exports is a regional and national economic priority and a strategic goal within the UK industry’s Vision 2035 strategy.
The ONE and SDI peer to peer knowledge exchange will provide an environment for operators; tier one contractors; experienced, early-stage and aspiring supply chain exporters; and market experts to interact around specific market or sector opportunities to help grow the value and volume of the Scottish supply chain’s international activity. It will initially meet on a bi-monthly basis, with its first meeting in Aberdeen at the end of January, focusing on the Middle East.
The project represents further investment by ONE Oil, Gas & Energy and partners in internationalisation support for the oil and gas supply chain. The Scottish Government, ONE and SDI are partnering to co-fund five new energy specialists in international markets with significant growth opportunities and ONE is a founding partner in the major Energy Exports Conference that will be held in Aberdeen in June this year, showcasing supply chain opportunities within global oil, gas and energy projects, in partnership with industry and government.
Trevor Garlick OBE, chair of ONE Oil, Gas & Energy said: “The aim is to establish an efficient and effective peer to peer network, with regular interaction and focus on specific market or sector opportunities and export support. Business discussions will explore practical exporting and internationalisation issues, to enable companies to learn from each other and access market insight intelligence. The focus for the first exchange is the Middle East oil, gas and energy market and future exchanges will address markets including Norway, Asia Pacific, USA, Africa and India. Anchoring the supply chain in North East Scotland long term is a priority for us and broadening market focus and increasing exports will be key to achieving this. We are pleased to be evolving our work with SDI to support this shared goal.”
Sharon McKendry, head of trade science, energy and technology, SDI, said: “Fostering the global growth of Scotland’s oil, gas and energy supply chain companies is a priority for the Scottish Government and its enterprise agencies. The technology, skills and services cultivated by domestic businesses in this sector are coveted the world over. By working in partnership with ONE to create an environment that encourages experienced and aspiring exporters to share ideas, insights and examples of best practice, we can help them tap into new opportunities in international markets.”
Businesses interested in the ONE and SDI export knowledge exchange should contact Jacqui Watt, project manager – Oil, Gas & Energy at ONE at jacqui.watt@opportunitynortheast.com or 01224 061100.
Trevor Garlick OBE, chair of ONE Oil, Gas & Energy