Main headlines from this issue

Kuwait’s NOC: Reem takes charge – new GM to be named

In the latest of a series of developments at Kuwait’s National Offset Company Reem Al-Khudur has been appointed to head a newly established committee to oversee projects. She replaces Abdullrahmin Al Ibrahim. Mr Al Ibrahim remains a committee member. They both carry on as Assistant General Managers.

EC says no to Izmir offset conference – offset Czars stay away – but record turnout likely

The European Commission on May 4 informed GOCA/ADS that it would not be represented on a panel at the Izmir conference to discuss the EU Stance on Offset, citing other commitments. The Commission was invited last December and has been chased for a response ever since. The Global Industrial Cooperation Conference (GICC) takes place from May 20.

South Africa: new focus on directs and revised multipliers

–battle ahead over “actual performance” of previously awarded credits

South Africa’s DTI has provided Parliament with a detailed report on arms deal offsets under the National Industrial Participation Programme (NIPP).

THE DIRECTIVE: UK’s TURN FOR AN EU MISSIVE

The European Commission has warned the UK that it must transpose the Directive's provisions with regard to Gibraltar.

Italian corruption inquiry leads to Indian offset “slush fund”

A consultant whose offices in Switzerland were raided last month by Italian authorities as part of a probe into corruption in a helicopter deal with India is an offsets service provider who has been very active in the Indian defence sector.