Coface conference to assess trading risks and rewards For UK businesses

Coface UK’s free biennial Country Risk Conference on Thursday 13 June 2013, from 9am to 1pm at the British Library, London, will look behind the headlines to give an insight into domestic and overseas trading risk for UK businesses.

With the release of the latest GDP figures showing limited economic growth of 0.3% and following the IMF’s decision to downgrade its UK economic forecast, concerns have once again been raised about the long-term prospects for the UK economy. The UK companies who do best in this difficult environment will be those who stay in touch with the most promising global opportunities and can take advantage of these, without taking unnecessary risks and Coface’s Country Risk Conference is intended to help businesses meet this challenge. 

Frédéric Bourgeois, Managing Director of Coface in the UK and Ireland expanded “This year, we have secured an excellent line-up of speakers to talk about the economic trends in the UK and its key markets around the globe, including David Smith, Economics Editor of the Sunday Times who will give the keynote address about the prospects for UK industry. Later, Bruno Weymuller, former Head of Strategy at a major oil major, will discuss developments in the energy sector and the implications for industry. Delegates will find this a thought-provoking conference and we could not imagine a better environment than the British Library.”

The conference speakers and topics are confirmed as:

• David Smith, Economics Editor, The Sunday Times, gives his prognosis for the UK economy and predicts how the UK’s industrial structure will look in five years.
• Dr Robin Niblett, Director, Chatham House, questions whether the USA will remain the motor of the world economy.
• Yves Zlotowski, Chief Economist, Coface, looks at how the economic situation in Europe will develop and provides an update of country risk on the continent.
• Bruno Weymuller, former Head of Strategy at an oil major, offers an overview of world energy trends and implications for industry.
• Rain Newton-Smith, Head of Emerging Markets, Oxford Economics, explains how geo-political trends are shaping opportunities for global trade.

Panel discussion with the above speakers, joined by Patrick Degorce, founding Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Theleme Partners, a financial investment advisory company.

With valuable networking opportunities over a buffet lunch, and in the setting of this prestigious venue conveniently located between London’s Euston and King's Cross stations, can delegates afford not to attend?