Falklands : SUCCESSFUL FALKLANDS VISIT TO SCOTLAND
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 19.05.2012 (Article Archived on 02.06.2012)
The Falkland Islands Chamber of Commerce undertook an extremely successful trade mission to Aberdeen and the Shetland Islands between 8th and 12th May.
SUCCESSFUL FALKLANDS VISIT TO SCOTLAND
FI Chamber of Commerce
The Falkland Islands Chamber of Commerce undertook an extremely successful trade mission to Aberdeen and the Shetland Islands between 8th and 12th May.
A total of 32 delegates covering a wide spectrum of Falkland business attended, with 26 of that number visiting Shetland. The delegation was one of the largest received by Aberdeen and Shetland for many years and attracted a lot of interest from companies within the UK Oil and Gas sector as well as Regional and National press. Included in the delegation were MLA Dick Sawle with portfolio for Trade and Industry, and Marc Boucher; General Manager of the Development Corporation.
A range of presentations relating to the impact of Oil and Gas on Aberdeen and Shetland were received by the group, as well as a number of sites visits including Aberdeen and Lerwick harbour tours and a site visit to Sullum Voe. The information gleaned from this will be presented to the Oil & Gas Working Group who will report to FIG with its findings and recommendations.
The focus of the week was a morning of presentations in Aberdeen by MLA Sawle; Andy Morrison of Rockhopper and Roger Spink, President of the Chamber of Commerce. This gave the audience of over 100 attendees a broad picture of the fiscal, legal, environmental and regulatory frame work in place. It also covered in more detail FIG policy regarding private sector participation; Rockhopper development plans and their experience of operating in the Islands; an overview of the infrastructure and range of services available in the islands, and the capacity of the existing private sector to support the Oil & Gas Industry.
Following the presentations and buffet lunch delegates networked with Falklands delegates making valuable contacts from which business arrangements will develop.
There were a number of key messages received, and a priority will be to impart to the wider community a clearer vision of what the future could look like how to manage it to the maximum benefit of the whole community.
Presentations were received from various speakers from Shetland Islands Council, Shetland Charitable Trust and Lerwick Port Authority. These were followed by presentations from MLA Dick Sawle, Roger Spink and Matthew Vincent of Byron Marine who presented in place of Rockhopper.
The whole visit would not have been possible without the support our major sponsors, Byron McKay; FIDC; Pinsent Masons LLP; and Morrison (Falklands) Ltd. A copy of the program can be accessed at www.falklandislandschamberofcommerce.com
For further detail please contact Roger Spink, Hamish Wylie or Lewis Clifton – contact details available from the Falkland Islands Chamber of Commerce.
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