Catalogue description Records of the Export Projects and Export Policy Division

The Export Projects and Export Policy Division was responsible for the coordination of policy relating to projects and competitors practices, review of the defence sales policy, export finance and credit policy and aid to developing countries. It gave advice on and coordinated major overseas capital projects in the various industrial sectors. It also provided the secretariat for the Overseas Projects Board. It was split into four branches. Registered files relating to export projects and policy are in PJ 5.

In 1981, five Overseas Trade Divisions were created. The Projects and Export Policy Division (PEP) became known as the Overseas Trade Division 1: Projects and Export Policy Division (OT1). Its structure and responsibilities remained unchanged.

In 1983, the Department of Trade and the Department of Industry reunited to become the Department of Trade and Industry once again. The Division continued to function under the name Overseas Trade Division 1: Projects and Export Policy Division (OT1). Its structure and responsibilities remained unchanged until the late 1980s and early 1990s when each Branch picked up different projects based on market changes and international events/projects such as the Channel tunnel project.

In 1993 the Overseas Trade Division 1: Projects and Export Policy Division (OT1) was replaced by the Projects and Export Policy Division (PEP). The structure and responsibilities of the Division remained similar. The Division was split into four branches, each of which focused on different infrastructure or power sectors and/or geographical market.

In 1995 the Projects and Export Policy Division (PEP) was renamed the Projects and Export Promotion Division (PEP). The Divisions responsibilities remained similar until 1996 when some of PEP’s responsibilities moved to the new Export Services Directorate and the four branches became two. PEP1 became responsible for aid and trade provision policy, aid to developing countries, export credit policy, Hands on Training Scheme and projects relating to airports, civil aviation, roads, urban traffic control systems, bridges, European rail, healthcare, tourism, media and leisure, education and training, BREEZE, communication projects and World Aid. PEP2 became responsible for power and water, including energy power projects, mining, power generation, metallurgical and chemical projects, countertrade, and water and social infrastructure projects.

In 1998 the Projects and Export Promotion Division (PEP) became the Infrastructure and Energy Projects Directorate (IEP). IEP was responsible for maximising the involvement of UK industry in major infrastructure and oil and gas projects worldwide. It combined competitiveness and export promotion activities with project and aid finance responsibilities offering an integrated approach to UK companies in their export efforts. IEP was divided into four branches.

In 2000 the responsibilities transferred to British Trade International’s Business Group: Infrastructure and Power Sectors (BG1). BG1 provided assistance to UK industry in winning business in the major infrastructure and power sectors in overseas markets. BG1 was split into seven branches, each of which focused on different infrastructure or power sectors and/or geographical market.