Event: Department for Business & Trade (DBT) – International Day 2024

Date: February 2024

Location: London (Hybrid national event)

Type of CPD: Government engagement / export strategy / international collaboration

Duration: Half‑day to full‑day event

Summary of the Event

I attended the Department for Business & Trade (DBT) International Day 2024, a national event bringing together UK exporters, trade associations, government officials, international trade advisers and sector specialists to explore opportunities for global growth across key industries.

The event focused on the UK’s international trade priorities, export support mechanisms, market intelligence, and opportunities for UK companies to expand into high‑growth regions. Sessions covered global market trends, regulatory landscapes, innovation ecosystems and the role of government in supporting UK businesses to scale internationally.

For the water sector, the event provided valuable insight into emerging opportunities in regions such as the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America—particularly in areas aligned with UK strengths, including digital water, advanced monitoring, environmental technologies and resilience solutions.

Key Themes Covered

• UK export strategy and government priorities Support programmes, trade missions, market access and sector‑specific opportunities.
• High‑growth global markets Middle East, Africa, Asia‑Pacific and the Americas, with a focus on water, infrastructure and environmental technologies.
• Innovation and competitive advantage Positioning UK expertise in digital transformation, monitoring, sustainability and advanced engineering.
• Regulatory and market intelligence Understanding local requirements, procurement pathways and partnership models.
• International collaboration and capacity building Working with governments, utilities, investors and research institutions.
• Trade missions and sector diplomacy The role of UK delegations in opening markets and strengthening bilateral relationships.