FOR ADVICE AND SUPPORT ON EXPORTING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OVERSEAS, PLEASE CONTACT THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE TEAM ON: 0121 450 4205


This visit, in conjunction with UK Trade and Investment, takes place from 26 to 31 March and the closing date for applications is 12 March. Jonathan Webber, head of international trade at the Chamber, said: “As with all


Explore Sri Lanka B


irmingham Chamber of Commerce is organising its first official visit to first official visit to Sri Lanka.


‘We have timed this visit to coincide with the Sri Lanka Expo 2012’


our overseas visits, it is conducted in conjunction with the British High Commission, whose contacts and standing confer very considerable benefits on participants via UK Trade and Investment. “We have timed this visit to coincide with the Sri Lanka Expo 2012 which


presents participating UK businesses with interesting potential partnership opportunities.” Participation at the Sri Lanka Expo is being promoted via the Sri Lanka High Commission and is supported and assisted via the offer of free accommodation, B2B meetings at the Expo, a subsidised airfare and free business visa. At just over 65,000 sq. miles, Sri Lanka, is in a strategic location near major shipping lanes and south east of India, and can be regarded as a logistical hub for all South Asian economies. Sri Lanka is a developing country. With a GDP output of $56 billion and a GDP per capita of


$7000, Sri Lanka is seeing record growth in GDP, which hit a new high of eight per cent in 2010. Since becoming an independent nation, Sri Lanka has faced many problems from natural


disasters, civil wars and political differences. The rise of foreign direct investment and international donor support, the economy of Sri Lanka has enjoyed extensive reconstruction programmes implemented to support its growing demand. With low Inflation, increasing interest from foreign businesses, growth is set to be above expectations in 2012.


To register for the visit contact Sunny Sidhu at IPTU on 0121 607 1774 or email: s.sidhu@birmingham- chamber.com; or Jonathan Webber on 0121 607 1758 or email: j.webber@birmingham-chamber.com


INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN BRIEF


Midlands Enterprise Europe Network is organising a trade visit to Alimentaria 2012 in Barcelona from 26 to 29 March. Alimentaria is one of the most important


food and drink trade shows in the world. Previously, 4,000 exhibitors representing 75 countries were present and over 140,000 visitors attended the show with just under 36,000 of these being from overseas. Businesses are invited to find the best suppliers and distributors, while discovering the major trends in this thriving sector. Funding is available for eligible SMEs.


For further information call Sunny Claire on 0121 607 1895 or email s.claire@birmingham- chamber.com. Deadline for applications is 15 February.


Midlands Enterprise Europe Network is organising a trade visit to METAL 2012, the gateway to the Scandinavian market. Decision-makers and experts from


manufacturing industries have the opportunity to attend business to business matchmaking sessions to develop new contacts in the Scandinavian market. Sectors which will be represented include machine tools, machining and sheet metal processing, cutting tools, hand-held tools, CAD/CAM, industrial automation, measuring instruments and equipment. Funding is available for eligible SMEs.


For further information call Sunny Claire on 0121 607 1895 or email s.claire@birmingham- chamber.com.


Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the UKTI aid funded business service, is hosting a trip to Manila in the Philippines on 18 to 23 March, in collaboration with the British Embassy in Manila which will include a visit to the headquarters of the Asian Development Bank. The mission will be particularly beneficial for


companies working in agriculture, the environment, education, energy finance, public sector management, transport and communications and urban development. A day dedicated to doing business in the Philippines will include a presentation from the World Bank and other organisations in this sector. For more information call Cheryl Boxall on 0845 603 0084 or email info@afbs.org.uk. Participation fee is £666 (excluding flights and accommodation). Deadline for applications is 10 February.


FEBRUARY 2012 CHAMBERLINK 29


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