What is the International Dialogue Network ?
The International Dialogue Network helps organisations in the Built Environment make global connections to develop their international business
We do this by fostering collaboration and communication between individuals, organisations, professions, sectors and cities across the globe; providing platforms that deliver market intelligence to understand and identify key markets and sectors; creating opportunities to network with like-minded organisations; providing access to industry and sector experts and thought leaders; creating opportunities to visit key markets and meet key contacts .
There has never been a more urgent need for cultures, communities and professionals to share their experience and expertise and the we enable firms to start to make sense of the opportunities in markets and sectors around the globe.
Can you tell us how your seminar will be structured ?
There will be 3 short presentations (5 minutes each) each about the panellists and their firms, where they are working overseas and more importantly why they targeted those markets and how they went about winning business there. These presentations will then lead on to a fuller discussion about how UK firms can best exploit the opportunities that exist overseas and the nuances between trying to win work in different cities/countries/regions. It will finish with audience Q&A.
Do you work closely with UKTi ?
We have worked with UKTI on a couple of our overseas trips to Mumbai.
There seems to be a lot of successful UK architects working on projects abroad do they really need more help ?
For small to medium sized firms the task of expanding their overseas portfolio can be daunting. Before boarding a plane real strategic decisions need to be made regards where they are targeting – It’s all well knowing that there’s a lot of work in China and India but key is to know where in China/India the work is and in which sectors, who are the likely clients, are they public or private sector etc.? Also knowing the best way to win work in specific countries, regions is also vital. Trying to win work abroad is both a huge investment of money and time and invariably is more successful when rigorous bespoke market research has been undertaken.
Which countries do you think will see the biggest growth in building projects in the next decade?
The global construction market is forecast to grow by 70% (to $12 trillion) by 2020.
Much of the growth in global construction and infrastructure will take place in the BRIC and CIVETS groups of nations along with countries such as Nigeria, Mexico and Canada.
Population and Economic growth, Global Urbanisation, ‘Shifting Wealth’ and National and City ambitions are creating an unprecedented construction and infrastructure boom in emerging economies.
Between now and 2050, the world’s population is expected to grow by 2.3 billion people, eventually reaching 9.1 billion with more than 60% living in cities by 2025 and 70% by 2050.
In the last few years migration to cities means that now over half [56%] live in cities putting huge strains on existing infrastructure. It is estimated that Asia alone will require US$7.5 trillion in infrastructure investments by 2020 through a combination of public-private partnerships, new approaches to equity funding and development of capital markets.
In economic terms, the E7 emerging economies (China, India, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey) are set to overtake the G7 economies (US, Japan, Germany, UK, France, Italy and Canada) before 2020 and are investing heavily in ambitious development and infrastructure plans to face the challenges of their fast growing economies and compete in the global economy.
The shift in wealth and power to emerging economies is creating an unprecedented era of city-building, lifting millions out of poverty, raising expectations of citizens and creating a massive global middle class that could increase from 1.8 billion people to 3.2 billion by 2020 and to 4.9 billion by 2030 and whose combined purchasing power is estimated to more than double to US$56 trillion with over 70% of this demand coming from Asia.
Countries all over the world are implementing large-scale infrastructure programmes which not only has a positive effect on mass construction but also promote and provide a stimulus for development in other sectors such as education, health, housing, retail etc. as communities grow and expand and we see the emergence of a new global middle class.
Historically, the middle classes have played a special role in commerce and social and political change and “served as vaunted engines of economic growth and political stability throughout the 19th and 20th centuries”.
Their emergence as ‘western-like consumers’ will be at the heart of a sustained and transformational construction and regeneration programme in emerging and developing economies as they move beyond subsistence living and invest excess capital in new homes, education, healthcare, leisure time and travel whilst purchasing increasingly high-quality consumer goods.
Is online the best place to make contacts and develop relationships now ?
Certainly before anyone heads out overseas proper desk research regards who you ought to set up meeting with etc. is important but we have found that key to developing relationships and therefore winning work is meeting the potential client face to face and winning their trust. This won’t happen overnight but those firms who have been most successful in expanding their overseas portfolio are firms who have invested more time in developing relationships in situ rather than via email or online.
Your seminar covers scale , can winning a large contract be very dangerous ?
It needn’t be especially, as with the majority of new work won overseas involves entering a joint venture with a local practice thus alleviating any issues regarding capacity.
Do you help companies with cash flow etc ?
No
Which architectural practices will be on the panel ?
Dan Epstein, Director – Expedition Engineering
James Handley, Director, Aedas
Sean Hatcher, Director – ORMS Architecture Design
See The seminar at 100% Eco,Design & Build Seminar Space Thursday 20th September at 10:30 to 11:30am.
