Free Service to set up meetings with overseas contacts has been launched by World Trade Centre Hull & Humber.

As part of its strategy to encourage and assist Humber-based companies to develop global opportunities, the centre’s technologically-advanced videoconferencing facilities are being offered at no cost through UK Trade and Investment’s Overseas Market Introduction Scheme (OMIS).

OMIS allows companies to communicate directly with UKTI’s overseas staff in British embassies, high commissions and consulates across the world, to access country and sector-specific business advice, as well as offering practical support during foreign trips.

Hull company CiTECH Energy Recovery Systems Ltd, has used the service ahead of its trip to Russia, where it plans to meet potential customers before attending the Moscow International Oil & Gas Exhibition (MIOGE) 2009 on June 23-26.

CiTECH, which provides equipment, project management and site services to global customers in the oil, gas and process industries, is visiting the country to develop the market for its CiBAS Waste Heat Recovery System.

David Turnell, sales and marketing manager with responsibility for Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and the Caspian Sea markets, said that international trade was a major part of the company’s strategy for growth. “We have a unique product that appeals to a global waste heat recovery market and we are very keen to utilise new technology to enhance opportunities,” he said.

“Having a face-to-face meeting with a member of UKTI staff at the British embassy in Moscow was very positive. We have found videoconferencing to be a powerful form of communication and it has enabled us to complete essential groundwork that will help to make the trip more fruitful. We would like to use the service regularly as we believe it could be a key tool in improving the efficiency of our international travel.”

The CiBAS Waste Heat Recovery Unit is used for oil and gas platforms, synchronising with, and substantially increasing the efficiency of gas turbines up to 58MW. It provides the facility to create additional energy by utilising hot waste gases from exhausts. CiBAS is a much lighter and smaller waste heat recovery unit and provides significant cost savings and operational benefits over traditional systems. Manufactured in Hull, it is shipped as a fully assembled unit ready for quick and easy installation.

The videoconferencing facilities at World Trade Centre Hull & Humber are amongst the most advanced in the region and businesses that sign up to the OMIS scheme will benefit from a waive of the fee as well as from UKTI taking responsibility for finding appropriate contacts and setting up meetings.

Tony Howard, Chair of World Trade Centre Hull and Humber, said: “The most obvious benefits of videoconferencing are the savings in cost and time as well as a reduction in carbon footprint through reduced travel to companies across a wide range of industries and market sectors. In relation to international trade, videoconferencing is much more effective than audio communication in forming and maintaining relationships with overseas contacts and customers.”

CiTECH’s head office relocated to Hull from London in 2007 and employs more than 90 staff. It carries out design, development, project management and sales and marketing from Priory Park, Hessle with its manufacturing plant based eight miles away at Somerden Road, east Hull. The company has agents and customers worldwide.

To find out more about OMIS and the free videoconferencing service, please contact David Lilley or Tracy Smith at World Trade Centre Hull & Humber on 01482 485200 or 485231.

For general enquiries about videoconferencing, please contact Leahann Mollon, operations manager on 01482 485211.

www.wtchumber.com

World Trade Centre Hull & Humber videoconferencing is offered through both IP and ISDN to ensure its compatibility with other systems.