Commonwealth Greater Birmingham


Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce


Contact: Jamila Davis T: 0121 607 1826


Commonwealth Chamber Patron


City can meet overseas demand By Dan Harrison


Greater Birmingham is well placed to take advantage of a “substantial demand” for British products among the Commonwealth nations. Keith Stokes-Smith, president of the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce (GBCCC), said visits to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting and in London and to the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast highlighted the export opportunities on offer to the region.


‘There is great enthusiasm to improve the speed of trade, especially with new technologies and e-commerce’


And he believes the “trust, integrity and


professionalism” offered by the newly-formed Commonwealth Chamber can open doors for businesses. Mr Stokes-Smith said: “In the case of


exporting from the UK, it is also about selling quality products and brands which overseas nations trust. They do enjoy and wish to buy British products.


“It is a case of trust, integrity, professionalism –


they are things we can offer as a Chamber. “I think Birmingham, a city with big


manufacturing and services sectors, can meet that demand. “Birmingham has a great opportunity to take advantage of the export opportunities that are out there. We should do so and the other nations are happy to engage with us in that process.” The Commonwealth Heads of


Government Meeting – which featured speeches from Prime Minster Theresa May, Commonwealth secretary general Baroness Scotland and government heads from around the world – addressed the need to speed up trade between Commonwealth member nations. Mr Stokes-Smith said: “The movement of


borders is far too slow and inappropriate. “The UK government are putting some funds


aside to try and assist those nations in improving the speed of movement of goods and services,


and also the paperwork involved, to try and bring a system which works across all of the Commonwealth and not just one or two countries. “There is great enthusiasm to improve the speed of trade, especially with new technologies and e-commerce.” The Gold Coast trip featured a


three-week programme of trade seminars and conferences to promote trade and investment among the 53 Commonwealth


nations. The UK already enjoys a fruitful


President: Keith Stokes-Smith


relationship with Australia and Mr Stokes-Smith said the appetite for


bilateral trade between the two countries was evident. He said: “In Australia there is significant


freight between some nations, particularly in Africa, is far too slow at the moment. “Also the documentation needed for crossing


interest in engaging with us in trade and investment, so it is a case of making that happen. “Geographically they are some distance away


but we already export £8.5bn of goods and services to Australia and import £4bn, so there is a net benefit to the UK at the moment. “But there is great potential in Australia. It is a mature economy.”


Chamber strikes deal to promote Pakistan trade


An agreement to promote bilateral trade between Pakistan and Greater Birmingham has been struck after high-level talks at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) in Edgbaston. His Excellency Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan’s


high commissioner to the UK, met leading officials from the GBCC, including Paul Faulkner (GBCC’s chief executive), Qasim Majid (Asian Business Chamber of Commerce {ABCC} president), Nasir Awan (ABCC), Russell Jeans (GBCC chief operating officer) and Mark Sankey (head of GBCC’s international trade team), and key business figures. After wide-ranging talks, it was agreed that a


Pakistan event would be included as part of a market briefing programme involving Commonwealth countries that is being arranged over the next year under the auspices of the newly-created Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce. Mr Abbas told the meeting: “I have no doubt


about the great potential of this city and it has much to offer.” Mr Faulkner had outlined the developments


underway in Greater Birmingham and the potential that HS2 and the 2022 Commonwealth Games will bring. He said: “The Commonwealth Games alone will bring £750m investment into the city in addition to all the benefits of HS2. If you invest in Birmingham in eight years’ time


In agreement (L-R): Mian Azmat Ferooq, Paul Faulkner, Ahmar Ismail, HE Syed Ibne Abbas, Qasim Majid, Steve Brittan, Russell Jeans, Nasir Awan, Sunny Arif


you will miss the value of these enterprises.” Mr Jeans said: “Nine per cent of our exports are


to the Commonwealth and we are very keen to promote bilateral trade with them all, particularly Pakistan. Over the next 12 months we will be organising events which will focus on generating bilateral trade with 10 Commonwealth countries and we will be delighted to host an event dedicated to Pakistan.” Mr Abbas added: “It’s very good to know that


the emphasis is moving from export to bilateral trade and we will work on ensuring that the government knows that you are the people who will drive business and we would like to hear


what we can do together.” Mr Majid, the recently-elected president of the


ABCC and founder of a digital agency, urged more secure and easier payments protocols, especially online. He added: “Perceptions are changing with people investing back into Pakistan and sport will help to do that through cricket at Edgbaston and the Commonwealth Games, which will shine a spotlight in our region. If we get smart, we will be able to make the most of it.” Mr Sankey said: “Our goal is to support


business growth through international trade in global markets including Pakistan.”


June 2018 CHAMBERLINK 31


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