Increasing the amount of UK international trade is a key target for the UK Government and the Norfolk Chamber has been working hard to support companies seeking to break into new markets.
To underline that support, Norfolk Chamber will host an International trade show, ‘The Global Marketplace’, which is being held in Norwich on 27 September supported by Barclays, UKTI and PWC.
The free event, which will run from 8am until 2.30pm at Norwich University College of the Arts (NUCA), Duke Street Building, Duke Street, will include country specialists from foreign Chambers, Embassies and Business Councils as well as national key speakers and Norfolk businesses.
Tracey Howard, Norfolk Chambers’ International Trade Director, said: “There are many new opportunities open to businesses, whether they are a seasoned exporter or looking at trading internationally for the first time.
“The Global Marketplace will be an exciting event and we have lined up a host of expert speakers who will explain why trading overseas is so important for both the UK economy as a whole, as well as the region.
“At least eleven countries will be represented and those attending will be able to talk directly with the experts as to what opportunities exist for their business. A series of workshops will provide key information to help expand your business overseas.
“If you have not traded overseas before, this event will bring together in one place, key experts to help to get you started and show you what the opportunities are for your business.”
Speakers will include:
- Lesley Batchelor, Director General of the Institute of Export – who will be delivering the keynote speech about the importance of building relationships, professionalism and accessing expertise
- • David Riches, Operations Director of the British Chambers of Commerce
- • Victoria Martin, Short Term Products Manager of UK Export Finance (formerly ECGD), the UK Government’s export credit agency
- • Simon Nicholson, Head of International and Trade, Barclays
There will be a series of workshops and a showcase covering countries classed as high-growth markets, where export is being actively supported by the UK Government. Some of the countries included, cover China, India, Russia, Turkey, Libya, Angola and many more. The Norfolk Chamber will also be holding smaller, country focussed seminars relating to a selection of these countries from October.
One businessman who knows the benefits of trading internationally is Tony Stevens, who owns Tower Scaffolding Supplies, of King’s Lynn.
He has worked globally for more than a decade, including supplying materials to companies operating in the Middle East, South Africa, Ghana and the Ivory Coast.
Tony, who runs the business on his own, said: “Small companies can trade internationally and I have worked for companies involved in everything from gold mining to oil and gas.
“From my point of view, it helps that companies working in Africa like to have UK products, which have high safety standards. They know that the equipment we send out to them will be safe.”
He believes that developing contacts is crucial and for him that has included a good relationship with the Construction Industry Training Board, through whom his name became known internationally.
Tony said: “It helped that I was working with CITB because I was able to develop contacts through them. A lot of it is word of mouth. People get to know you then tell other people about you. In construction, you often get people moving from job to job and telling people about you.
“It is crucial to have a decent website so that people can find you and know what you do. I also make sure I know what is happening in various sectors. I go on oil and gas websites and look at magazines to see where the contracts are.”
He also acknowledges that trading internationally has to be a team effort, saying: “I see myself as the middle man. I source the work for international clients and work with a UK company that will organise all the shipping for me.
“It also helps working with the Norfolk Chamber. They have provided me with useful training and support. “
