Pictured: Jonathan Webber
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group (BCCG) is hoping to build
on the region's growing export figures by encouraging more
businesses to look at overseas markets.
Earlier this month, the organisation reported that the number of
export documents it was dealing with had soared this year.
In the past six months, the Chamber has processed 14 per cent
more documents than it did in the corresponding period last
year.
Much of this has involved companies exporting to the Far East
and Middle East, but Jonathan Webber, head of the Chamber's
international team, was keen to stress that Europe remained a key
market place for Midlands businesses.
"Birmingham's largest export market is Europe, by some
considerable distance - 85 per cent of all of our exports go
there," he said.
Now, the Chamber has launched an initiative to boost European
export figures even further, and as part of this will be holding an
event at Villa Park, 'Export Today', on 1 December.
The event will be aimed at firms keen to launch or expand the
export side of their businesses.
The event will give businesses the opportunity to meet
commercial officers from UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).
The commercial officers are based at British embassies overseas,
and have an unparalleled knowledge of the local markets in
countries including Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus,
Holland, Czech Republic, Italy and Switzerland.
Attendees will also be able to meet with international trade
advisers, who will be able to explain about the support available
for firms exporting to Europe.
For further information about the event, contact Jessica Taylor
on 0121 607 1845 or email j.taylor@birmingham-chamber.com