expanding rapidly. Emerging markets like Vietnam and Indonesia are following suit. As with any country looking to maintain international competitiveness, proficiency in English is at the heart of global business. As Thailand moves from a manufacturing-led to a high-tech, high-value economy, English will become integral to this transition’. During his visit to Thailand Lord Green was examining ways in which the UK can work with Thailand to support more of its companies do business globally. ‘Our colleges and universities offer a wide range of vocational training and can meet any occupation-based learning requirement as well as providing world-class training to the business world. I am delighted that the University of Central Lancashire is planning to establish the UK’s first private university campus in Bangkok, where it intends to receive its first students in June 2014’, he stated. He also looked at areas where the UK can support Thailand’s efforts to provide affordable and effective healthcare for all of its citizens. Lord Green’s article concluded: ‘I am a strong believer in free trade, which in my view benefits all countries and
Deputy Bangkok Governor Teerachon Manomaiphibul presents a gift on behalf of Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra to Lord Green, UK Minister for Trade & Investment.
stimulates competition. That’s why I would like to see Thailand follow in the footsteps of its neighbours and seek an early parliamentary mandate to commence negotiations for an EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA). We only need to look at the benefits of the EU/Korea FTA, which came into effect last summer, which saw hundreds of tariffs fall away and significantly improve the
way business is undertaken between the two countries.
agement consultancy McKinsey & Co with whom he undertook assignments in Europe, North America and the Middle East.
• Lord Green’s focus at the FCO is to help achieve a more commerciallyminded office that effectively supports the government’s growth agenda. He oversees the new Commercial and Economic Diplomacy Group tasked with delivering a more commercial FCO in practice • As head of UK Trade & Investment, Lord Green helps UK firms to export abroad and promote inward investment. As part of this role, he will support UKTI Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO). He also has responsibility for the Export Credits Guarantee Department and acts as spokesman for the Government on trade and investment issues in the House of Lords • Lord Green chairs the Council of Business Ambassadors and is a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Network. He has also chaired the British Bankers’ Association and the Prime Minister’s Business Council for Britain. Lord Green has also served as a trustee of the British Museum
He joined The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited in 1982 and became Group Chief Executive in 2003. He was created a life peer as Baron Green of Hurstpierpoint in November 2010.
Lord Stephen Green is Minister of State for Trade and Investment in the UK’s Department for Business Innovation and Skills. He took up his appointment after a 28-year career with HSBC that culminated in his appointment as Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings in 2006. Stephen Green began his career with the British Government’s Ministry of Overseas Development. In 1977 he joined the man-
• Lord Green is responsible for ensuring the delivery of a cross-Government strategy for trade and for attracting international investment. He is accountable to both the Secretary of State for Business and the Foreign Secretary • The UK is currently the world’s sixth largest exporter and second largest investor in foreign markets. Many world-beating business sectors have built up a strong presence in the world’s biggest developed markets, in the rest of Europe, the US and Japan. The challenge will be to succeed over the coming decades as global incomes grow in other markets
‘We now need to build on our strong relationship and provide the best environment for business to flourish. We face similar challenges, adapting our economies to an uncertain global environment. But we also share a vision for the future that will unlock opportunities, foster talent and stimulate knowledge’.
The Brief
Issue 2/2012
15