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Commonwealth: Online event offers export help
Greater Birmingham Commonwealth
Chamber of Commerce Contact: Mandy Haque T: 0845 6036650
Online event offers export help
By Claudia Congrave
Meriden MP and former Chamber president Saqib Bhatti hosted an online event offering businesses guidance to export and grow internationally, in the wake of Brexit and the impact of the pandemic.
The event followed a report from the Office for National Statistics that saw a 40.7 per cent drop in European exports in January, a loss of some £5.6bn.
The West Midlands Parliamentary Export Programme webinar was part of a wider series hosted by MPs from across the region, and detailed the benefits of working with the Department for International Trade (DIT) when looking to branch out into exporting.
The DIT provides different levels of guidance to businesses, including export support for SMEs via local international trade advisers and the chance to join the export academy which provides businesses with the education and mentoring needed to transition to exporters.
Towards the end of last year, the DIT also announced a £38m Internalisation Fund which offers grant support to small and medium sized enterprises looking to grow their overseas trading and strengthen their business.
One company which has had a successful partnership with the DIT is Midlands- based forensic software innovator Forensic Pathways.
Forensic Pathways was founded in 2001 as a provider of technology for crime scene forensics and cyber threat intelligence. The firm sought the advice of the DIT in 2003 as they began their export journey, which involved Turkey.
Deborah Leary, vice-president of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) and chief executive and founder of Forensic Pathways, attributed the support of her trade adviser to the success of her business when navigating the international market
She said: “You quickly realise on this journey that one size does not fit all. You’ll need a different strategy for each product or service you’re planning to export.”
In light of this, she advised businesses to be proactive and not reactive when treading the road to export and to not see exporting as a quick fix, but rather a long-term investment.
Forensic Pathways have since expanded their exports to Europe, USA, Australia, South Africa, Nigeria, and have interests in Singapore and UAE. The firm has also become part of the ‘Export Champion Community’, which provides peer support from more than 1,000 experienced businesses.
Chamber international director Mandy Haque said: “The Parliamentary Export Programme event highlighted the significant difference that the support of an international trade adviser can make to your business on the exporting journey, with practical tips on trading to help you with every step.”
Optimism on the rise among German-British businesses
Dr Ulrich Hoppe: Business is more upbeat
An annual survey of the German-British business community has revealed that there is more optimism about than there was six months ago.
The annual German-British Chamber’s Spring Survey found that 44 per cent of companies currently viewed their operations in the UK as performing positively or very positively, with another 38 per cent saying they were stable.
And 52 per cent also expected the UK economy to perform better or significantly better over the coming 12 months, with 22 cent anticipating things will remain stable.
However, companies think that a full recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for the UK economy is still some way off, with the majority expecting a full recovery to take at least another 18 months.
In terms of investment plans, companies are also much more positive, with more than a third (35 per cent) planning to increase, and only 10 per cent planning to cut back.
Nevertheless, Brexit and Covid are still having a significant effect on a majority of companies as trade barriers/customs formalities and travel restrictions continue to be the top two challenges for businesses.
In terms of the future structure of supply chains, the Brexit-related trade barriers also appear to have a very significant (and much larger than Covid-19) effect on future sourcing decisions.
Dr Ulrich Hoppe, director general of the German-British Chamber of Industry and Commerce, said: “The survey results suggest that, despite the current challenges of Covid-19 and Brexit, the sentiment in the German-British business community is much more upbeat than six or 12 months ago.
“However, the effect of Brexit on the future structure of supply chains should not be underestimated, as trade barriers/customs formalities and extra costs remain a critical issue for many businesses.”
Chamber pays tribute to Duke of Edinburgh
Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce has paid tribute to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh for his lifetime of service to the UK and the Commonwealth.
According to official records, HRH made 229 solo visits to Commonwealth countries between 1949 and 2016. These were in addition to visits he made to Commonwealth countries to accompany Her Majesty the Queen. These numbers do not include countries visited in Royal Navy ships without any Royal duties being carried out or private engagements such as weddings and funerals.
HRH had a number of Commonwealth appointments and military affiliations in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Trinidad and Tobago.
He also held Patronage appointments in 12 different Commonwealth countries.
In 1956, he founded The Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conferences - a scheme still going on today.
Commonwealth Chamber president Joel Blake said: "On behalf of the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce I would like to pass on our condolences to the Royal Family at the passing of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. "As well as giving a lifetime of service to the UK, his life of dedication and commitment to the Commonwealth can empower us to build a more equitable Commonwealth for generations to come.”
