From out of the Ashes - Business

Not content with simply celebrating the Ashes events in Australia this year, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), Australia has arranged targeted business-matching events for UK and Australian businesses based around the five cricket Tests of the Ashes series in late 2010, early 2011.

Australian and British companies will be getting down to business in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney as UKTI matches them with potential business partners and customers in an informal setting. And with over 30,000 Brits heading down under to watch the cricket, and many of the Ashes test matches already close to sold out, UKTI Australia is expecting big crowds for its business networking events.

Paul Noon, the Director of UKTI in Australia is excited about the prospect of combining his great love of cricket with his passion for helping British businesses in Australia:

"We think it's a fantastic opportunity for cricket fans to combine business and pleasure. We gave detailed help and advice to around 200 British companies on the Australian market last year, as well as helping more than 60 Aussie companies set up their businesses in the UK, and one of the most important things for each company was building up business networks quickly.

So it's not only a great opportunity for new British companies to make contacts in Australia, but also for Aussie companies to meet British businesses coming out here with an eye on expansion.

We're holding events near each of the Ashes test venues, around the time of each test, to make it easy for people to attend. But don't worry, there'll be time to do business and watch cricket, I'll make sure of that!"

To find out more about UKTI Australia's Ashes networking events go to www.uktiaustralia.com/ashes or email UKTI Australia direct at uktiaustralia@fco.gov.uk