Planning

UK-ASEAN Trade & Investment Support Services

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS & TRADE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

21 Nov 2025 at 10:47

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process is being led by the Department for Business & Trade, based in London, United Kingdom, with a focus on the "UK-ASEAN Trade & Investment Support Services". This initiative falls under the "services" category in the industry and spans locations including the UK and multiple countries within ASEAN, such as Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Currently, in the planning stage, the procurement aims to enhance trade and investment links and requires expressions of interest by 5th December 2025. Preliminary Market Engagement activities are scheduled, including one-to-one meetings and an introductory webinar in early January 2026. This opportunity is tailored for suppliers with extensive experience in delivering complex cross-border engagement services.

This procurement offers significant business growth opportunities for firms adept in facilitating international trade policies and organising diplomatic and business exchanges. It targets companies specialising in miscellaneous business services and event services, offering a substantial total value of £360,000, with a contract period commencing on 1st April 2026. Suitable for SMEs and VCSEs, this contract provides a platform to showcase capabilities in large-scale coordination projects and advance strategic UK trade objectives, ensuring a strong presence in the ASEAN region.

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Notice Title

UK-ASEAN Trade & Investment Support Services

Notice Description

This procurement is for appointing an external organisation to deliver services that support trade and investment activities between the United Kingdom and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The supplier will be responsible for: * Facilitating business engagement on trade policy priorities, aligned with the His Majesty's Government (HMG) strategic objectives. * Coordinating and supporting cross-sector inward and outward visits, involving both business and government stakeholders. * Delivering UK-facing support and promotional activities, including projects in coordination with the UK Mission to ASEAN and other government growth initiatives. The aim is to enhance UK-ASEAN trade relations by providing professional, relevant, and quality activities that promote UK interests and foster business connections in the region.

Planning Information

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) expects to publish a tender opportunity for UK-ASEAN Trade and Investment Support Services. This requirement is highly specialised and focused on strengthening trade and investment links between the United Kingdom and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). DBT is seeking suppliers with proven capability and experience in delivering complex, cross-border engagement services. Given the niche nature of this opportunity, we strongly encourage early engagement from interested organisations. Suppliers who submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) will have the chance to participate in preliminary discussions, including one-to-one meetings at the earliest opportunity, to help shape the final specification and ensure it reflects market capability. DBT is seeking Expressions of Interest for this requirement. To submit an EOI, please email commercialbpo@businessandtrade.gov.uk by 5th December 2025 to register your interest for updates and participation in Preliminary Market Engagement activities. These may include one-to-one meetings with interested suppliers, subject to capacity, and an introductory webinar planned for early January 2026. At this stage, DBT wishes to understand the size and capability of the supply market. Information gathered will be used to refine requirements and ensure they are deliverable by suppliers. DBT’s intended process for Preliminary Market Engagement is: (i) suppliers submit an EOI by 5th December 2025; (ii) PME events held at the earliest opportunity, starting with individual supplier meetings where possible; (iii) an introductory webinar in early January; and (iv) potential for interested suppliers to receive further PME updates.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e612
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075925-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79900000 - Miscellaneous business and business-related services

79952000 - Event services

79990000 - Miscellaneous business-related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Feb 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS & TRADE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
commercialbpo@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2DY
Post Town
South West London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLM Scotland, TLN Northern Ireland

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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