Businesses from the West Midlands had the chance to meet Robin
Barnett, UK Trade & Investment's (UKTI) Business Group Managing
Director, at the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Patrons lunch to
discuss the importance of exporting to economic recovery in the
UK.
The group talked about opportunities for exporters in High
Growth Markets in the Far East and elsewhere. They also heard about
a major initiative, which Birmingham Chamber of Commerce is leading
with UKTI and the European Commission, on trading with East
Africa.
UKTI's Birmingham international trade team, based at the
Chamber, leads on Sustainable Organisations for Private Sector
Development (SOPSED) - a major EU project worth about £2m
over 18 months that is primarily concerned with private sector
intermediary organisation capacity building across East Africa.
Project partners include the national Chambers of Commerce of
Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius and Uganda. UKTI is currently
negotiating 'observer' status for Rwanda and possibly Tanzania.
UKTI's Birmingham international trade team will be taking an
aid-funded visit to Nairobi early next year and then a general
trade mission to Kenya and other East African countries in
September 2011.
Anyone interested in taking part in either event should contact
the UKTI team at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry now to
book their place.
Robin Barnett said: "I was delighted to have the chance to
discuss with West Midlands businesses the opportunities arising
around the world for British exporters and to hear both their hopes
and fears as they seek to expand their businesses abroad.
"It was also interesting to hear about the excellent work that
Birmingham Chamber is leading in East Africa. The latest trade
figures show that West Midlands exports for the last 12 months
increased by 25.5 per cent compared with the previous year, the
largest increase of any region in the UK.
"This reflects the tremendous potential that is in the region to
drive economic growth through international trade."
A video is available on YouTube about making the most of
business opportunities in East Africa, filmed at a recent event in
Birmingham.
Attracting over 100 delegates, the East Africa Conference had
UKTI representation from every commercial team in East Africa, all
East Africa Missions to the UK, the Head of the EU Delegation to
the UK and EU representatives from Brussels.
The video can be viewed at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iijLLX69nA
For more details about how UK Trade & Investment can help
your business expand into new markets overseas, contact the
international trade team at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and
Industry on 0121 450 4205