The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) are partnering to deliver a half-day event on 12th February 2020, giving practical advice and networking opportunities to businesses in the North West.
With the UK leaving the EU this year and the future trade relationship between the two to be negotiated, the World Trade Summit will bring some of the UK’s leading trade authorities to Manchester to discuss the challenges and opportunities that businesses face. The Summit’s theme is ‘From Local to Global: Ensuring Sustainable Trade Growth for your Business’ and it will also focus on environmental issues and changing consumer trends.
Chris Southworth (Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce UK), Sandra Strong (Managing Partner, Strong and Herd) and John Lucy (Manager International Transport & Trade Procedures, Freight Transport Association) will speak on a panel chaired by the IOE&IT’s new Director General, Marco Forgione, about the global trade landscape the UK will enter as an independent trading nation post Brexit.
Delegates will also hear from local businesses who already succeeding in international markets, including Queen’s Award winners St Pierre Groupe and Cocogreen UK Ltd.
Trainers and advisers from the IOE&IT and GMCC will also be on hand to support businesses with their queries and concerns regarding international trade. Delegates will be able to arrange 1-2-1 meetings with these advisers and will also be able to participate in interactive workshops focusing on four key questions:
What does sustainable trade growth mean?
What are the main local and global challenges ahead for exporters and importers?
Where are the big opportunities ahead in Global Trade?
What do governments and institutions like the IOE&IT and GMCC need to do to support businesses?
Ahead of the Summit, Susana Cordoba, Head of International Trade at the GMCC, said
“We are thrilled of partnering with IOE&IT on this World Summit as the global trading landscape is rapidly changing and more so with our definite exit of the EU. This Summit will aim to provide a positive outlook for traders who are seeking not simply survive and navigate through an uncertain business environment but also are proactively seeking to grow their international footprint.”
Richard Bartlett, Director of Business Development for the IOE&IT, added:
“Events like these are so important for business for many reasons. Our World Trade Summits give businesses lots of information and allows individuals to look at how they can improve their international trading. The Summits bring together some of the most knowledgeable experts in their field, who will be openly discussing how you can trade better or shape your strategy towards exporting if you’ve not done it before.”
The event forms part of the IOE&IT’s Regional World Trade Summit programme. The IOE&IT has previously hosted Summits in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool and Belfast, always with the focus of giving experienced exporters and businesses new to international trade the change to meet and share best practice.
The Manchester World Trade Summit is free for members of the IOE&IT and GMCC and costs £15+VAT for non-members. It is taking place at Elliot House, 151 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3WD.
More information about the Summit can be found at either:
www.export.org.uk/Manchester2020
