Small and medium-sized companies across the West Midlands are
being urged to look at new markets in Central Europe to beat the
economic downturn.
The Midlands World Trade Forum (MWTF) is organising a free
seminar exploring opportunities in Austria, the Czech Republic,
Hungary, Poland and Slovakia on behalf of UK Trade &
Investment.
Entitled "Think Central Europe!", the event is taking place on
Thursday 4 June at the Ramada Hotel, Sutton Coldfield,
10.30am-1pm.
The Heads of Trade & Investment from the British Embassies
in the five countries will give an overview of the markets and
highlight specific opportunities, while a West Midlands firm that
is successfully exporting to Central Europe will describe its
experiences.
Delegates will have the opportunity for pre-arranged one-to-one
meetings with the commercial officers after a buffet networking
lunch.
The event is also supported by the Midlands Enterprise Europe
Network (EEN), which provides support with information on
legislation, trading in new markets and finding customers for
licence, manufacturing and joint venture agreements for West
Midlands firms' new products or technologies.
Doug Mahoney, UK Trade & Investment's international trade
director for the West Midlands, said: "With the economic slowdown
biting deeper in the UK, many West Midlands companies need to look
at export markets for new business to survive and thrive.
"Central Europe offers a host of opportunities in a wide range
of sectors, such as automotive, environment and water, ICT,
advanced engineering, food and drink, education and financial
services.
"A foothold in just one of these countries can give ready access
to doing business in the rest.
"They are all potentially lucrative markets for West Midlands
exporters - for instance, the UK remains Poland's fourth largest
trading partner, with British exports exceeding £2.9bn last
year, 24 per cent up on 2007.
"British exports to the Czech Republic totalled £1.38bn in
2008, while Hungary is the UK's third largest market in Central and
Eastern Europe.
"If you think there might be a market for your business in one
or more of these countries, this seminar is an ideal opportunity
for you to find out more - and UK Trade & Investment is here to
help."
To book your free place at this event, please contact Alison
Hawkins, Midlands World Trade Forum, Tel: 0121 607 1845 or Email:
a.hawkins@mwtf.org.uk