LINKS - COBCOE

24
chambers’ review
British Chamber of
Commerce in Germany
www.bccg.de
Exploring renewable energy opportunities
The BCCG held a successful renewable energy conference
in London in July. Given the threats of climate change and
energy shortages, this timely conference looked at the
opportunities that renewable energy presents.
Organised by the BCCG’s co-chairman, Tobias Verlende,
head of the London office of Brinkmann & Partner LLP,
the conference explored the subject from UK and German
perspectives. It attracted 61 guests and was held at the
offices of Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, an international law firm.
The keynote speaker and panel discussion moderator
was Stephen Tindale, an associate fellow of the Centre
for European Reform, working on climate, energy and
development issues. Professor Dr Friebert Pflüger, Director
of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security
(EUCERS) at King’s College London, spoke about ‘green’
business being a great opportunity for European business.
An overview of UK renewable energy incentives followed
from Humphrey Douglas, a partner at Barlow Lyde &
Gilbert. Alex Shivananda, Co-Founder and Managing Partner
of Aclaria Capital, then gave his views on making projects
bankable for project and equity financing.
Jürgen Kaiser, COO Business Development of BARD
GmbH was the final keynote speaker. He looked at the
risks, challenges and solutions for German offshore wind
energy and gave insights into the engineering practicalities
of renewable energy, including an explanation of how
offshore wind farms are constructed and built.
A lively panel discussion with some heated debates ensued
as the audience questioned the speakers. Many discussions
continued after the conference had closed.
Tobias Verlende,
Co-Chairman, BCCG
Panel of experts, BCCG event London
British Hellenic
Chamber of Commerce
London www.bhcc.gr conference shows positive side
London conference shows positive side
With Greece the focus of international attention, the BHCC
annual London conference in late June was well timed. Now
in its ninth year, the conference was entitled ‘Reforming
Hellas - a challenge’ and took place at Claridge’s Hotel in
London.
The aim of the conference is to promote Greece as a
destination for international investors and answer questions
about the country’s longer-term prospects. To help find
constructive solutions to current problems, the audience
was encouraged to participate in lively discussions.
Harris Ikonomopoulos, Chairman BHCC
The conference was also used as an opportunity to portray
Greece in a more positive light. It opened with the BHCC
video “That’s Greece – that’s not Greece”, while BHCC Greek
President, Harris Ikonomopoulos, used the media attention
to counter the country’s negative press. Conference speakers
also stressed that the reforms and revenue targets needed
to secure financial assistance and make the economy more
competitive were within reach.
The chamber’s video and press coverage of the conference
can be viewed at www.bhcc.gr
Panel of experts at the conference