Herts Global

Collectively we can make a difference At the time of writing, something tells us that even once this article is published, Covid-19 will still be dominating our lives.

By Keith Moore, International Trade Manager, Herts Chamber of Commerce

Many people will still be working from home, and a large number of businesses remain closed. This may truly be one of the most devastating and disruptive events of our lifetime.

Over the last few weeks since Covid-19 has taken hold of many countries, it has been pleasantly surprising to see that exporting has remained at a constant level. On a peer to peer introduction within our membership one company was able to export $20,000 worth of goods to China to combat the virus.

Looking beyond to a time when movement of people and goods get as back to normal as possible, The British Chambers of Commerce

of which we are the only accredited member in Hertfordshire, is truly a global organisation (and growing all the time) that currently has 60 overseas chambers and affiliates. This, combined with the other 52 accredited chambers throughout the UK, makes an impressive total of people that can help and support companies at home and overseas.

On the 4 March 2020, at the ACCA building in London there was an opportunity for some of those chambers, both UK based and overseas, to come together and discuss best practise and collaboration in the future. With an opening address from the Director General of the BCC Dr Adam Marshall, guest speakers from the Department of

International Trade, chambers around the globe and UK gave valuable insights into their own individual challenges.

It was also a good platform to promote events that are happening in their catchment areas: such as Coventry being the City of Culture 2021; the 2020 United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP26) which was taking place in Glasgow this November but is now postponed to 2021; the 2022 Commonwealth Games officially known as the XXII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Birmingham 2022; and the numerous delegation visits to Scotland from all over globe, no doubt to sample the delights of their famous whiskies.

The day was a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones, I came away with a feel-good factor that collectively we could make a difference and help many companies who would like to trade globally.

CONNECT • COLLABORATE • GROW

Last year the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce hosted a delegation of companies and government officials from the Shandong province of China, on a return visit at the end of March from the Shandong Medical Support Team they brought 10 medical ventilators, 10,000 medical masks, 10,000 N95 masks, 10,000 sets medical protection clothes and 10,000 detection kits all of which were donated to the UK government for distribution. The value of these products were worth around £10 million. Many thanks to the people of China for such a generous gift in our time of need.