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COMMENT


THE


LAST WORD


It seems a long time since I penned my Business Network piece for the December/January edition and the Christmas period already seems a distant memory. As expected, 2018 has begun at breakneck speed and I


know through my conversations with various members that it is one that, as you would expect, businesses here in the East Midlands are embracing with focus, hard work and enthusiasm.


POSITIVE EXPORT FIGURES On the subject of enthusiasm, I was very encouraged to see the latest export figures from the Office for National Statistics which suggest that the UK trade in goods deficit narrowed by £12bn to £34.4bn in the three months to November 2017, primarily due to a 2.6% (£2.2bn) increase in goods exports to £87.6bn. Exporting will be a key element to the strength of the UK’s


economy and it’s great to see that the first Business Network theme of the year is International Trade – highlighting how crucial this area is to the Chamber and its activities. In my first piece for Business Network I re-emphasised


the pledge I made upon becoming the Chamber’s President by stating that one of my key focuses during my year-long term in office is to promote export opportunities that exist within our region. I will continue to actively support export growth and international trade and am determined that the Chamber be at the forefront of doing whatever possible to help the region’s businesses take full advantage of the opportunity to export and exploit global markets. These recently-released export figures are a great early indication in 2018 that businesses are taking advantage of the huge potential that international trade has to offer.


EMPLOYMENT DATA Remaining on the subject of data and positive results, it was good to see the East Midlands performing well in terms of the number of people currently in work. The latest regional data from the Office for National


Statistics indicate that the number of people employed during the period went up by 28,870, from 2,239,765 in the quarter to the end of August to 2,268,635, while the number registered as unemployed fell by 816 from 98,161 to the end of August to 97,345. It’s a great indication that the region’s businesses are


continuing to work hard to remain robust and ultimately grow, which inevitably has a positive impact on employment figures.


70 business network February 2018


ROB MAYO, Chamber President, on the issues that are worth talking about Once again, the top quality businesses we have here in


Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire should be applauded in what remains a period of significant uncertainty for business. While these results are welcomed, we need to continue to ensure businesses of all sizes and from all sectors here in the East Midlands and beyond are given every assistance possible in order to create a productive, positive and forward-thinking business climate conducive to good business and that is something the Chamber will very much be championing in the months and years to come.


CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP Chamber membership continues to rise, with over 4,100 businesses from start-up to multinationals part of the Chamber’s growing network. It’s great to see so many businesses in the region engaging with the Chamber. Every new member that signs up increases the Chamber’s ability to influence on a local, regional and national level. As the region’s leading business support organisation, the Chamber, as a network, truly is greater than the sum of its part and I would encourage members to promote the benefit of becoming a member of the Chamber to non-members so that, together, we can continue our objective of enhancing East Midlands businesses.


CHAMBER ANNUAL DINNER I am very much looking forward to next month’s Chamber Annual Dinner which, for me, is the highlight of the Presidential year. In Justin Webb and Nicky Morgan MP we have two


excellent speakers and I am hugely looking forward to hearing what both have to say as we once again head to the Roundhouse, Derby – a worthy venue for such a prestigious evening. To have over 600 business leaders from across


Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire under one roof to celebrate business in our region is a true sight to behold. Personally, I am looking forward to meeting and speaking with Chamber members and am sure that this black-tie event will prove to be an exceptional evening.


All the best. Rob.


Join the conversation by following @EMCBizNetwork and Tweet using the hashtag #LastWord


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