PN129/11

17 November 2011

Opportunities in Asia's 'smart cities' highlighted at TechWorld

UK Trade & Investment has today launched the interim findings of a new research project, ‘Smart cities of the future in Asia: The opportunities for UK business’, at TechWorld 2011.

These findings identify and explore key initiatives across four cities (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea) and highlight actual business opportunities for UK companies. An interactive presentation at TechWorld put a spotlight on the main developments, opportunities and principal business challenges in each of the cities.

The session focused in particular on four key future initiatives covering the built environment in Indonesia, education in Malaysia, energy & environment in South Korea and transportation in Singapore. These include:

• A substantial nationwide smart grid programme to use energy more efficiently in South Korea, starting in 2012 and ending in 2030 with a total investment value of $ 7.18 billion.

• A project in Malaysia, focusing on the implementation of smart learning through electronic media, which presents opportunities for UK companies involved in the development of advanced learning systems and solutions.

Dr. Vince Cable, Business Secretary and Co-Chair of the Asia Task Force, said:

“Having recently returned from a visit to Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam, where I saw the dynamic pace of growth in the cities there, and the significant potential for British business this presents, it is encouraging to see detailed analysis of some of the opportunities highlighted in these findings.

“I want to ensure that UK companies are ready to seize these opportunities and that British innovation and expertise plays a major role in the future development of cities across Asia.”

The full report, covering ten markets in total, will be launched on 9th February 2012 at the ‘Explore Asia – a world of opportunities for UK companies’ conference. The report will benchmark the most dynamic cities across Asia in terms of their levels of smart development, and present the opportunities for UK business. It will cover a wide variety of sectors, and initiatives including the built environment, education, energy & environment, health, technology, and transportation.

The downloadable version of the interim findings report is available here.

Media contacts:

For more information about UK Trade & Investment contact Rosetta Buahin at UK Trade & Investment Press Office on 020 7215 8530 or email rosetta.buahin@ukti.gsi.gov.uk

For information about ‘Smart cities of the future in Asia: The opportunities for UK business’ contact Emma Foster on 07890 284318 or email emma@fcomms.com

For more information on Frost & Sullivan please contact Chiara Carella on 020 7343 8314 or email chiara.carella@frost.com

Notes to editors

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK’s economy – acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage. For more information on UKTI, visit www.ukti.gov.uk or telephone +44 (0)20 7215 8000. For latest press releases, visit the online newsroom at www.ukti.gov.uk/media. You can also keep in touch with developments at UKTI through www.blog.ukti.gov.uk, www.twitter.com/ukti and www.flickr.com/photos/tags/ukti.

Frost & Sullivan

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TechWorld 2011

TechWorld 2011 (16 – 17 November 2011, ExCel, London), hosted by UK Trade & Investment and now in its 6th successful year, is the UK’s largest international technology event. Last year’s event saw more than 450 international investors from 50 countries meet with UK delegates and exhibitors from technology, science and research and development. In excess of 3000 one-to-one meetings were conducted and 45% of UK business attendees expected to generate revenue from international markets as a direct result of the event.

This year the event is focused on helping UK technology and science entrepreneurs increase overseas trade, access critical research and development and identify new markets for growth.