INTERNATIONAL TRADE
HELPING COMPANIES EXPLOIT OVERSEAS TRADE OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT: Mark Sankey T: 0121 450 4205
Classes focus on
key export markets A series of language and culture masterclasses are being held from July to next March to help exporters improve their understanding of key markets. The first masterclass is
on 2 July and will focus on economic superpower China. Other classes will look at European countries, including France and Germany, and others will cover Latin America and Japan. The cultural aspect of
Global opportunity: Francis Maude, Minister for Trade and Investment
Language master: Gerti Willis
the classes will include tips on dress code, business ethics, dining out, expectations of punctuality and formalities. On the language side, basics such as meeting and greeting, addressing people and pronunciation will be tackled. The courses are being organised by UK Trade &
Investment, and Gerti Willis, language and culture adviser for the West Midlands, said that adopting a strategy to deal with language and cultural differences would help businesses improve their relationships with overseas firms and boost sales.
Visit
www.languageandculture-
workshops.eventbrite.co.uk or contact Gerti Willis on 0121 607 1942 or email
gerti-willis@mobile.ukti.gov.uk for details.
Converting World
Cup into business UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is hosting three events in the West Midlands to coincide with the Rugby World Cup in September – a sporting spectacular which is forecast to bring in £869 million worth of business to the UK. Trading with the Commonwealth is to be the
subject of roundtable sessions, to be held at Villa Park, when local businesses will be able to engage with market experts from Australia, Canada and South Africa, while Worcester Warriors’ base at Six Ways, Worcester, will host a discussion on Global Sports Projects. Companies will receive advice on the life cycle of major sports projects and be able to meet commercial officers from key international markets. The third event – Exporting Gaming – will take
place at Leamington Spa when local companies will be able to take part in interactive discussions and broaden their global horizons. The Rugby World Cup runs in the UK from 18
September to 31 October, with around half a million foreign visitors expected to attend.
For more information or to find out how to get involved call 0345 222 0159 or email
enquiries@uktiwm.co.uk
20 CHAMBERLINK JULY/AUGUST 2015
The time is right for UK export success
M
inister for Trade and Investment Francis Maude, in Birmingham to announce a new initiative to
support fledgling exporters, said that there has never been a better time for UK businesses to realise their potential. The First Time Exporters initiative, which is run by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), is a package of
support which includes training and advice for companies selling overseas for the first time. The aim is to help companies expand into international markets for the first time, and the
announcement also marked the beginning of Export Week 2015. The support on offer includes the opportunity to take part in trade missions to nearby markets to
help firms develop their first contacts with foreign buyers. It will also help them take advantage of digital opportunities, with support from digital trade advisers and an online tool designed to assist with export planning. Export Week, which was led by UKTI, involved more than 1,500 businesses taking part in 70
events UK-wide aimed at inspiring them to start their export journey or increase their international business. The varied programme included practical workshops and masterclasses, exporting clinics with UKTI specialists and networking opportunities Potential exporters are also currently being offered the chance to showcase their business to the
world at the Milan Expo 2015, which launched on 1 May and continues until the end of October. As part of UKTI’s ‘Grown in Britain’ initiative, companies participating in Expo will be able to meet global buyers who have the potential to become valuable export partners. UKTI hopes that business activity linked to Milan Expo will deliver £1 billion economic benefit to the UK over time. Mr Maude, who was a West Midlands MP for nine years, said: “We hope that the launch of First
Time Exporters will encourage more companies to take their first steps on the export journey and take advantage of the demand for British goods and services that exists overseas. With Milan Expo bringing the world to our doorstep, and Export Week, there has never been a better time for British businesses to realise their potential and find overseas customers.” As part of the First Time Exporters initiative, 100 new trade advisers will be put in place, together
with 20 specialist digital advisers. In the West Midlands, the region has enjoyed six years of consecutive export growth, with the sale of goods to overseas markets reaching £28.6 billion in 2014, up from £27 billion in 2013. By 2020, it is hoped that that UK exports will have reached £1 trillion and that the number of exporters will have increased from 200,000 to 300,000.
‘There has never been a better time for British businesses to realise their potential and find overseas customers’
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