Glasgow Business . 31 www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com COMMITTED


trading relationships while working to shape the new Brexit world of business


One of the advantages of participating in an organisation as old as Glasgow Chamber is that there is usually some history to lean on and on this occasion it isn’t hard to find. Te Chamber was founded in 1783 because


Glasgow’s merchants felt powerless in the face of the closure of their crucial trade links with North America following the American War of Independence. Tey came together to make their views more effectively known and to take action to grow new trading relationships and reinvigorate the old ones if possible. While Glasgow does not face the


immediate loss of trading connections with Europe – as we did with our American markets in 1783 – the Chamber is active in urging for mutually sensible deals to maintain those connections. Te Chamber throughout its history has


argued against barriers to trade: free trade has always been the founding principle. Atacking the monopoly of the East India Company’s Charter in India and support for Robert Peel’s abolition of the Corn Laws are but two


examples of campaigns the Chamber has fought. Every incidence of trade tariffs on goods has been challenged along the way. Stuart Patrick sees this as a positive


response from the Chamber to a negative situation. “You could say that the purpose of the


original Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers is reborn once more. In the short term, we will do what we can to help avoid any disruption in investment. We will work with the partners across the city to make as strong a case as possible to keep investment flowing into Glasgow and continue to actively engage with policymakers to help shape the new world,” he said. Te Chamber remains commited to its


European outlook. It will be working hard to maintain commercial relationships with European cities as it grows elsewhere in the world. Te recent signing of an agreement with Manhatan Chamber of Commerce is the kind of opportunity that is being pressed. “Tere are Chambers of Commerce across


Europe and we will be geting the message from Glasgow out that we value our trade with Europe and want to see it grow. Perhaps now we will be moving faster and further on building these global connections than we first thought.’’ It was only days aſter the referendum that


Chamber President Neil Amner, Stuart Patrick and Richard Muir, Deputy Chief Executive, flew out to the British Chamber of Commerce for Italy, where they were given a warm welcome. “Te two cities have a great deal in


common. Milan is a centre for fashion and culture – and Glasgow has similar strengths with its creative industries. I’m sure the relationship between the Chambers will grow.” Te Chief Executive wants members


to engage with the Chamber so that terms of trade with Europe and the rest of the world can be beneficially structured in the years ahead. “Tis is exactly the time when organisations like ours must prove their worth,” he said.


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