Pictured above: The speakers from the Nordic and Baltic
countries gather ahead of the recent UKTI / MWTF event
Exporters from across the West Midlands have been encouraged to
look to the Nordic and Baltic countries as they bid to expand their
businesses.
They were attending a special event focussing on these emerging
European markets organised by UK Trade & Investment and the
Midlands World Trade Forum.
More than 50 delegates attended the event at the Ramada Hotel,
Sutton Coldfield to hear trade experts from Estonia, Latvia and
Lithuania, as well as Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway explain
how easy it is to find new customers.
They were told the UK has a strong reputation in the Nordic
countries and with highly educated consumers, high living standards
and the widespread use of English they could be an ideal stepping
stone for those firms making tentative steps into Europe.
The Baltics are also a good test market for new exporters, and
are particularly suitable for niche products and innovative
solutions, with local firms very keen to work with foreign
businesses. The geography also means they are useful for those
wanting to explore opportunities in Russia and other Commonwealth
of Independent States countries.
Doug Mahoney, UKTI International Trade Director for the West
Midlands, said: "This was a fantastic opportunity for those
companies wanting to broaden their horizons into the eastern and
northern parts of Europe.
"The Nordic countries have long had a reputation for innovation
and hosting regional headquarters of some of the world's largest
companies, so would be a perfect fit for those West Midlands firms
involved in R&D and technology.
"The Baltics are also interested in innovative solutions and
have good outsourcing possibilities in wood, IT and metal, so again
there is real potential for West Midlands businesses."