The listings below outline events planned by UK Trade & Investment (the Government organisation that supports companies in the UK doing business internationally, and overseas enterprises seeking to set up or expand in the UK) and other relevant organisations. The events from UK Trade and Investment include outward missions to trade shows or other trade opportunities, and inward missions from foreign companies into the UK.  
 
These events are highly targeted and well organised; in some cases they may attract funding to assist companies with the cost of attending. Where no funding is available, there is still enormous benefit in participation, given the opportunities to meet with potential partners/clients and decision makers in one forum. Places are limited and funding application deadlines are several weeks in advance of the event. For certain events, the South West RDA may provide additional support as is the case for CeBIT. 
 
For further information on particular events, and to register your interest, please email: ict.opportunities@southwestrda.org.uk

Mobile World Congress 2008: 11th - 14th February, Barcelona, Spain

UK Showcase Package 
 
3GSM World Congress now re-branded as Mobile World Congress takes place at the Fira de Barcelona, Spain. It is organised by the GSM Association and is the world's leading mobile communications conference and exhibition. It has been held annually since 1994. Final attendance figures for 2007 showed an audited attendance of 53,000 visitors from across the world. UK Trade & Investment has taken a 72 sqm outdoor promotional site for the duration of the show. This area will promote the UK as a centre of excellence for the mobile and wireless industry and look to generate quality sales leads for UK exhibiting and showcase package companies. Last year the promotional stand (same location for past 2 years) generated over 100 quality leads.  
 
Companies visiting MWC 2008 can benefit from support through the visitor showcase package that includes:

• Maximum 2 Exhibitors passes
• Entry into UK publication
• Entry on the UK Mobile World Congress website. This service allows visiting companies to search and locate UK companies at the exhibition via key word search and request meetings. The website will be promoted through publications, websites, mailings and the UKTI network.
• Access to UK Group hospitality area in Hall 1 (with hot and cold refreshments and internet connection)

Cost is £850 + 16% Spanish VAT 
 
If you would like to take advantage of this excellent offer please email info@tradefair.co.uk  
 
Or telephone 01622 203 048

ARTEMIS & ENIAC

European Technology Platforms Engagement Seminar

Focusing on European strengths in the areas of embedded computing systems and with the future of silicon based processor technologies. February 20th, 2008. 1 Victoria Street, London

The EU has agreed the launch of two major ICT initiatives, the ARTEMIS and ENIAC Joint Undertakings. ARTEMIS is concerned with maintaining European strengths in the area of embedded computing systems, ENIAC is concerned with the future of silicon based processor technologies. The UK is a Founding Member of both initiatives. 
 
Around 400 million Euros of EU grants will be available for each over the course of the programmes with around 75 million Euros available for each in 2008 in addition to any national support available. A novel feature of these programmes is that all successful project participants will get part of their eligible costs met directly from the Joint Undertakings irrespective of any national grants. 
 
The Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Minister of State for Competitiveness, is hosting a seminar at BERR's central London Conference Centre with speakers from the European Commission, ARTEMIS and ENIAC industry associations, Electronics Knowledge Transfer Network, Technology Strategy Board and the National Microelectronics Institute. 
 
Attendees will be informed of the emerging programme priorities and how to engage in projects. 

Who Should Attend?

• Companies who wish to engage in collaborative research partnerships to develop embedded systems that will put Europe at the forefront of the revolution in embedded systems
• Companies who wish to access R&D funding to develop their product IP
• Companies who want to influence the content for upcoming Artemisia research calls
• University and research institutions who wish to develop collaborative partnerships with industry

For further information: 
Information Desk 
European Commission - Information Society and Media DG 
Office: BU31 01/18B-1049 Brussels 
Email: infso-desk@cec.eu.int 
Tel: +32 2 299 9399 
http://europa.eu/information_society 
 
ARTEMIS own website: http://www.artemis-office.org/

UK Electronics in Japan - 2008

Business Development Mission to Japan 3-8 March 2008

As part of its support for UK companies in the development of trade links with Japan, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) is planning a trip to Japan, providing a chance to visit Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka and Kyoto. 
 
UK companies will be able to meet Japanese companies requiring advanced technologies and solutions in electronics notably for emerging embedded applications, including digital consumer electronics, automotive, wireless/ubiquitous computing and automation. Companies with an interest in electronics (testing, SoC, semiconductor IP licensing, EDA tool software, new materials and value-added services for semiconductor businesses) are invited to participate in the trip, which will be tailored to meet the needs of those attending. There will be an opportunity for those with local staff, agents, distributors or those with existing commercial relationships to include their own meetings in their itinerary.  
 
Companies who are new to the market will develop awareness of the social and economic environment, establish new contacts for their future entry into the country and begin to build the relationships important for success in Japan. Those companies who have experienced business in Japan will find it useful to obtain an update on the latest trends, build their contact within Japan, and follow up on previously developed business opportunities.

Japanese Market as of June 2006

According to the Japanese External Trade Organisation (JETRO) the semiconductor market in Japan is the largest in the Asia-Pacific and is the single largest country in the world involved in the manufacture and sales of semiconductors and related products. It represents 20.6% of the global market compared to the 19% of the United States and 18.7% of Europe. By 2010 the Japanese semiconductors market is projected to grow by 33.4% to reach $62 billion.

Electronics in the Automotive market

A number of factors are influencing the market for electronics in the automotive market, including safety, microelectronics to control the use of fuel and on board navigation. Some observers put the total market value of electronic parts and software at 22 trillion yen compared to only 2.5 billion yen for the traditional ICT markets.

Overview of the support provided

Cost: £200 
 
Companies who participate in this mission will be entitled to a free online booking service for business meetings up to a maximum value of £400. The British Embassy in Tokyo and the British Consulate General in Osaka will translate your company information and technology/product/services you would like to sell in Japan into Japanese and circulate these to several hundred of their existing contacts in the electronics and semiconductor industry, to encourage them to book business meetings with you online. It aims to book up to 3 meetings, although this cannot be guaranteed.  
 
Tailored market research or extended business meeting arrangements are available under the Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) 
 
The trip will include:

• Showcase
• Networking Reception
• Publicity
• Travel & Accommodation

To register your interest in attending this mission and for an application form please contact:

IC and Electronics Design Taiwan - 2008

Business Development Mission to Taiwan 10-14 March 2008

As part of its support for UK companies in the development of trade links with Asia Pacific technology companies, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is planning an IC and Electronics Design mission to Taiwan.  
 
This is an opportunity for UK companies to meet Taiwanese companies requiring advanced technologies and solutions in fabless semiconductor and electronics design, notably for emerging embedded applications, including digital consumer electronics, automotive, wireless/ubiquitous computing and automation. This will be an action-packed visit of business meetings, networking and cultural immersion organised by our commercial Team in Taiwan and managed within the UK by UKTI Sectors Group.  
 
Companies with an interest in electronics (testing, SoC, semiconductor IP licensing, EDA tool software, new materials and value-added services for semiconductor businesses) are invited to participate in the visit, which will be tailored to meet the needs of those attending. There will be an opportunity for those with local staff, agents, distributors or those with existing commercial relationships to include their own meetings in their itinerary. 
 
We expect that companies new to the market will develop awareness of the social and economic environment, establish new contacts for their future trading relationship with the country and begin to build the relationships important for success in Taiwan. Those companies who have experienced business in Taiwan will find it useful to obtain an update on the latest trends, build their contacts within Taiwan, and follow up on previously developed business opportunities. 

Market Dynamics

Taiwan plays an important role in the global semiconductor market. Since the establishment of the Electronics and Research Service Organisation of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ERSO/ITRI) in the early 1970's and its successive spin offs of UMC and TMSC in the 1980's, the semiconductor industry in Taiwan has grown from strength to strength.  
 
Currently the Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association represents over 60% of worldwide IC foundry/package/testing revenue, around 25% of worldwide design revenue and around 25% of DRAM revenue. In 2006 the Taiwanese semiconductor market grew by 24.6%, outpacing the worldwide average of 8.9%.  
 
IC product revenue reached over $10 billion in 2006 and increase of 30.7% over the previous year. Memory products comprise 52.2% of revenue. Application areas cover a wide spectrum with information applications making up the largest single category at ~60%. Consumer applications comprise ~28% and communications ICs account for 12%. 
 
By 2007 the Taiwan semiconductor industry consisted of companies across the whole IC supply chain. 
 
The cost is £225 incl VAT and the support provided includes:

• Business Development - circulation of company information to appropriate Taiwan companies
• Showcasing
• Networking Reception
• Publicity