Armed & Dangerous,

CAAT launches new campaign to End the Uncivil Service

CAAT's new campaign, UKTI: Armed & Dangerous, was launched at the
National Gathering on 8 November.

UKTI (UK Trade & Investment) is a government department which exists
“to help business succeed internationally.” As part of
this innocent sounding mission, it is now using tax-payers' money to
sell arms to conflict zones and repressive regimes, with little
regard for the devastating global consequences of its activities.
CAAT is calling for an end to government support of this deadly work.
We need your help!

Find out more, sign our online petition and order campaign materials
Sign the UKTI petition calling on UKTI to stop using tax-payers' money to help private companies proliferate arms.
Read CAAT's UKTI campaign briefing also available to download as a PDF

Sarah Waldron Core Campaigns Co-ordinator Phone 0207 281 0297

International Business Wales Trafalgar House 5 Fitzalan Place Cardiff Cf24 0ED

Tel (UK): 0845 010 3300 Tel (Overseas): +44 (0) 1443 845500

E-mail: ibw@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.ibwales.com

Wales and the Aerospace Sector

Wales has a vibrant aerospace and defence cluster with six of the World’s top ten companies based in Wales - Airbus, BAE Systems, EADS, GE Aviation, General Dynamics and Hawker Beechcraft.

The sector employs over 20,000 people directly, many others indirectly and comprises some 180 companies, of which more than 160 are small to medium size enterprises (SMEs).

A sophisticated supply chain, the location of the major primes such as Airbus UK and GE Aviation, combined with 1st tier suppliers like Doncasters, Magellan, Nordam Europe, Babcock Defence Systems, GE Aviation makes Wales one of the most important aerospace and defence regions in the UK. The industry makes a valuable contribution to the economic success of Wales.

How Aerospace Wales Forum can help

A unique partnership between the Welsh Assembly Government and industry through the Aerospace Wales Forum to provide a one-stop-shop to facilitate the success of your business. Wales has a vibrant aerospace and defence cluster – six of the World’s top ten companies are based in Wales: Airbus, BAE Systems, EADS DS, GE Aviation, General Dynamics and Hawker Beechcraft. If you are looking for new growth or expansion opportunities please contact us.

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Wales is proving a successful and cost-effective base for over 180 aerospace and defence companies, employing 20,000 people. They include big names such as EADS DS, BAE Systems, GE Aviation, NORDAM Europe, General Dynamics, QinetiQ, Raytheon, SELEX Sensors & Airborne Systems, Qioptiq, British Airways and Airbus UK, and emerging new technology firms.

Find out what your company could achieve in this skilled, ready and resource-rich country

"Wales has something unique at St. Athan" here

Defence and homeland security...Our long-standing military connections mean Wales is home to some of the world’s leading defence and aerospace companies.

How International Business Wales can help

International Business Wales (IBW) is the international trade and inward investment arm of the Welsh Assembly Government. International Business Wales offers a wide range of services to assist Welsh companies achieve success in international markets. International Business Wales has an active network of Trade Advisors throughout Wales who engage with businesses on a 1-2-1 basis. Key services include:-

• The International Trade Development
• The International Trade Opportunities - In-market sales leads and support services
• Business Development Visits
• Supported Trade Delegations and Overseas Exhibitions
• Access to the Commercial Sections’ Services in British Embassies and Consulates throughout the world

International Business Wales’ support network is global, able to unearth new opportunities and help convert them into real business.

Useful contacts

Contact: Paul Lindsay at Aerospace Wales Forum:paul.lindsay@aerospacewalesforumi.co.uk; Telephone +44 (0)1656 655210

Contact: Debbie Pritchard-Jones at International Business Wales: debbie.pritchard-jones@Wales.gsi.gov.uk; Telephone +44 (0)2920 898602

UK Trade & Investment Contact: debbie.pritchard-jones@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Publication date: 12/05/2008

UKTI

Ending arms companies' influence in the corridors of power is crucial to
defeating the arms trade.

That's why CAAT's new core campaign focuses on UKTI, the government unit that
promotes UK exports.

Arms make up less than 2% of UK exports - but UKTI devotes as many staff to the
arms industry as to all civil sectors combined. 

This is an exciting time to campaign.  The last two years have seen a sharp rise
in public opposition to the arms trade in the wake of controversy over BAE and
Saudi arms deals.  Now we have a chance to build on this momentum and make a
difference.

Read more at http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.caat.org.uk%2Fcampaigns%2Fukti%2F.

Sign the petition at http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.caat.org.uk%2Fcampaigns%2Fukti%2Fpetition/.

And if you have any questions, feel free to email Sarah Waldron, CAAT's Core
Campaigns Co-ordinator, at sarah@caat.org.uk.  

Blood at the Crossroads:

Making the case for a global Arms Trade Treaty

amnesty usa. The world is reaching a crossroads in deciding how to control the arms trade. Governments must act now to create effective and robust regulation. This report shows through illustrative cases how that trade contributes to serious violations of human rights in different parts of the world. In particular, it seeks to help demonstrate why the establishment of a global Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is an urgent necessity and how an ATT could work to save lives, preserve livelihoods and enhance respect for human rights.

Read full report (PDF)

One Million Weapons to Iraq; Many Go Missing
Pratap Chatterjee September 22nd, 2008
An Alabama company controlled by a billionaire Kuwaiti family is the biggest supplier of guns to Iraq. Th ese weapons were paid for by the Pentagon which has lost track of them. A new Amnesty international report says that such unrestrained global arms trading schemes may have catastrophic human rights consequences.