Shropshire Chamber of Commerce has hailed the successful return of its International Trade Forum, bringing together exporters, importers and trade specialists for expert insights, practical guidance and valuable networking opportunities.
Hosted by logistics giant Kuehne + Nagel at its Telford base, the event was designed to support businesses already trading internationally as well as those looking to expand into global markets.
Delegates heard from leading international trade experts representing both the British Chambers of Commerce network and regional trade organisations, covering some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing businesses engaged in global trade.
Brian Franklin gave an overview of the support available through Kuehne + Nagel and the importance of effective logistics in an increasingly complex trading environment.
Emmanuel Gianquitto, head of Consultancy and Training at the British Chambers of Commerce, guided attendees through the latest developments surrounding the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the importance of compliance for exporters.
Delegates also heard from Nick Patrick, director of the international trade centre at Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, who explored the challenges and opportunities facing exporters and importers amid today's geopolitical and regulatory landscape.
He also spoke about all the support available via the Chamber network – member businesses receive a 50% discount on international trade documentation and declarations.
The final speaker session saw Charles Merritt, engagement and policy manager at the British Chambers of Commerce, provide valuable insight into exporting opportunities across Asian markets, with a particular focus on China and India.
The presentations prompted an engaging question-and-answer session, with attendees taking the opportunity to discuss trade barriers, regulatory requirements, market opportunities and future trends with the panel of experts.
Ruth Ross, chief executive of Shropshire Chamber, said: "The return of our International Trade Forum was extremely well received, demonstrating the continued appetite among Shropshire businesses for high-quality international trade support.
"Global markets continue to present significant opportunities for growth, but businesses also face increasing complexity. Bringing together experts and experienced traders in the same room creates an invaluable learning environment.
"We are grateful to our Patron member Kuehne + Nagel for hosting the event, and to our expert speakers for sharing their knowledge and experience. The positive feedback from attendees shows just how valuable these forums can be – we will be planning more."
Jenny Pearson, Shropshire Chamber’s head of commercial success who gave the welcome address, added: “The key takeaway was that businesses should not think trading internationally is too much of a challenge and too complicated.
“The message was that companies which see international trade as an opportunity, and most importantly ensure they are compliant, will stand head and shoulder above their competitors.”
The revival of the Forum comes as The British Chambers of Commerce calls for the UK to fundamentally reassess the terms of its relationship with the EU to drive stronger economic growth.
In its new report, ‘The Future of UK-EU Relations’, the BCC argues that the imminent Leader’s Summit should be used to kickstart an in-depth exploration of nine possible options for the relationship.
It believes that businesses can seize the moment created by Andy Burnham’s willingness to re-open the debate, to secure a new deal that will better serve the UK economy and stand the test of time.
It is calling for the Government to lead the conversation by providing detailed comparative studies of the different models and their economic impact.
The intervention comes as new BCC research shows that for many exporters the UK-EU trade relationship is still failing to deliver, almost six years after Brexit. The survey of more than 1,500 firms found that many are still struggling with a thicket of Brexit red tape which is in perpetual motion.
Pictured: Emmanuel Gianquitto, head of Consultancy and Training at the British Chambers of Commerce
