SUBMISSION 44
Supplementary memorandum submitted by
British Trade International Trade Partners UK
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
RELATING TO
PARAGRAPH 9 OF
ORIGINAL SUBMISSION
(SEE P
EV 88)
MEETINGS
1. Trade Partners UK and DCMS provide joint
secretariats to three main groups covering the breadth of the
creative industries, these are:
— Creative Exports Group (CEG).
— Performing Arts International Development
Group (PAID).
The groups bring together Government officers
from five departments: FCO, DTI, DCMS, BTI and the British Council,
together with representatives from the respective industry bodies.
2. The three groups meet four times a year.
The Creative Exports Group (CEG) also has sub-working groups which
meet at least four times a year. These sub-groups are:
— Film Export Group (FEG).
— Music Export Group (MEG).
— In addition, television and publishing
feed directly into CEG, and a group on Radio is soon to be established.
All these groups are supported by secretariats
staffed by Trade Partners UK and DCMS officials.
Other desk level Trade Partners UK officials
attend and occasionally a senior official will make a presentation.
Officials from the other departments attend where the subject
matter is relevant to their area of responsibilities.
3. The aims and objectives of the Groups
are:
— to work with industry, Government
and regional agencies in order to make best use of funding programmes
for the content sector and help steer the export agenda for the
creative content sector;
— to facilitate and coordinate export
strategies for specific industry sector;
— to engage with regional partners
and agencies to highlight and promote the full range of talent
from across the UK;
— to work with the Performing Arts
International Development group; Design Partners; and the Digital
Content Forum to share best practice, inform and drive the Government's
support for exporting the creative industries.
Since 1997 the "export groups" have
made advances on a number of fronts, including:
— improving qualitative linkages between
Government and the industries;
— hosting industry-led briefing courses
(music: November 2002; Film and TV January 2001) which have helped
to inform Trade Partners UK and British Council staff overseas
on what the creative industries have to offer;
— continuing development of a list
of priority export markets for our creative product, helping to
ensure a more strategic focus for the use of public funds; and
— improving their understanding of
the help and resources available from Government agencies, and
involvement from the industries to help influence its shape and
future.
4. In addition to these meetings, staff
at desk level meet and speak to DCMS, DTI, FCO and British Council
colleagues on an almost daily basis. GCE and other senior officials
conduct ad hoc meetings. It would impose a significant
additional administrative burden to keep a central record all
such contacts, or to quantify the costs.
STAFF RESOURCES
5. Ten Trade Partners UK officials are involved
in attending and supporting the five groups. We estimate that
on average they spend 25% of their time attending such meetings
and dealing with preparation/follow up.
COSTS
6. Total Trade Partners UK Staff costs to
service the five groups covered in this paper are estimated at
£48,500. Meetings take place in government buildings or at
the premises of trade associations at minimal costs to Trade Partners
UK. Light refreshments are served, but again at minimal costs.
FINANCIAL GAIN
7. The Memorandum highlighted some successes.
It would not be possible to attribute from such meetings individual
successes but the overall benefit of the groups has been to bring
government departments together to work on a common agenda.
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