UKTI DSO RD CENTRAL

RD Central (Regional Directorate) covers the following countries:

Middle East (including the Gulf States but not Israel) and all of Africa, and has representatives in Kuwait, Qatar, Indian Sub-Continent and Oman.

The Regional Directorates coordinate Government support and provide advice to defence companies on specific markets and projects. They are expert in their particular geographical areas and are the normal point of contact for both overseas customers and UK companies for all matters relating to prospective sales of defence equipment and services in their geographical area of responsibility.

Political and economic factors vary from country to country, and industry requires precise background information so that it can market its products as effectively as possible. The RDs can offer advice on such matters as the status of ongoing sales negotiations, other countries' Defence hierarchies, current and prospective procurement programmes and representation in country. Overseas customers expect the UKTI DSO to know about the UK defence industry and look to the RDs for help and assistance when they visit the UK. UK industry expects the UKTI DSO to be up to speed with events overseas.

The Defence and Commercial staff of UK embassies overseas have a responsibility to support exporters but in certain key markets, there are defence specialists providing support for British companies looking to export to their particular market.