Cardiff to Host Key Debate on Global Competitiveness

Top UK and international business leaders will head Cardiff in October (3-5)for an unprecedented three day conference focusing on the key challenges facing companies in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

[ClickPress, Wed Jul 06 2005] Organisers of a landmark industry conference are urging UK businesses to capitalise on the opportunity to learn how to become more globally competitive.

Top UK and international business leaders will head Cardiff in October for an unprecedented three day conference focusing on the key challenges facing companies in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

The European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Forum is being held from October 3 – 5, 2005 at the Cardiff International Arena, ending with a gala dinner in the Millennium Stadium.

The flagship event is held annually at a major European city and the choice of Cardiff this year underlines the Welsh capital's growing international status. The event will provide a rare opportunity to UK businesses to network with senior business leaders and potential export customers from across the Continent.

On the agenda this year will be the rise of the Chinese economy, and delegates will examine how European businesses can turn this potential threat into a major opportunity.

Among a host of top speakers is Gerard Kleisterlee, Chief Executive of Royal Philips Electronics, which has become the largest multi-national firm operating in China.

Also scheduled to address delegates are K. Vaman Kamath, Chief Executive and Managing Director of the first universal bank in India, ICICI Bank Ltd., and Chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Kieran Poynter.

EFQM, is a not-for-profit foundation, providing support for internationally-minded businesses and other organisations to improve quality, performance and competitiveness. The annual EFQM forum aims to support ambitious companies and organisations to become more competitive in international markets.

Delegates will be given the opportunity to examine how businesses in Europe are facing up to the challenges of the future, with visits scheduled British Airway’s leading edge maintenance facility at Cardiff Airport and Dow Corning’s base in Barry.

Vincent Kane, Chairman of Forum hosts Wales Quality Centre, who is EFQM's partner in Wales commented: “If European business is to compete in the global race against China and the rest of Asia, we must embrace change.

"The Forum will be examining how such change can be delivered against a background of tighter regulation, greater transparency and pressure to achieve sustainability in business.

“The event offers an ideal environment for the sharing of ideas and solutions. It also provides us with a golden opportunity to showcase the UK to Europe's business leaders.”

Companies wishing to attend the EFQM Forum can book online at www.efqmforum.org.

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