International Trade Newsletter, Nov/Dec 2015
If the events around Export Week in November got you thinking in more detail about trading overseas, there’s plenty in this issue of the international trade newsletter to keep you interested!
Read about a new online platform that presents live export opportunities for UK companies, and get insight from successful Somerset exporter Briers Ltd, which has built a strong global network in just three years.
And don’t miss your chance to win return flights for two to Düsseldorf, just by completing our short poll on international trade.
If you wish to tell us about your experiences or share an insight into the challenges of international trade, please contact us via the details at the bottom of this newsletter.
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Win flights for two to Düsseldorf by sharing your views
 Germany is the largest economy in Europe and the fourth strongest in the world. Its consistently strong economic performance offers long-term growth potential for UK businesses. To help promote the wide-ranging opportunities on offer, the Somerset Chamber of Commerce has two return flights to Düsseldorf to give away, so why not go and see its potential for yourself?
To be in with a chance of winning the tickets, simply complete our short poll about the key interests and challenges for Somerset businesses when it comes to trading overseas. The short survey will take just a few minutes to complete and will be open until 5.00pm on 18th December. Everyone completing the survey who meet the specified criteria will be entered into a free prize draw to win two return flights with bmi regional from Bristol Airport to Düsseldorf.
Click here to complete the survey and to view the prize draw terms and conditions.
Many thanks and good luck!
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Exporting is GREAT – export opportunities programme launched
 UK companies are set to benefit from a unique new five year programme presenting real-time export opportunities that businesses can apply for online. This is part of a move to get 100,000 additional companies exporting by 2020.
Launched on 9th November, Exporting is GREAT presents live export opportunities to businesses, across a range of media outlets and digital channels. Hundreds of export opportunities, with a potential total value of more than £300million, are hosted on the new platform, with many more set to come online each month.
To find out more, visit www.exportingisgreat.gov.uk
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BCC International Trade Conference 2015
 A group from the Somerset Chamber attended this year’s British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) International Trade Conference on 3rd November, entitled ‘Trade the World – Accessing High Growth Markets’. The broad range of topics covered included the power of the British brand worldwide and the importance of investing time in building connections overseas, while case studies from successful exporters and workshops on individual high growth markets provided valuable insight and advice.
John Longworth, Director General of the BCC, highlighted that the UK is the second largest exporter of services in the world behind the US, yet of the firms surveyed by the BCC, only 23% of services companies are exporting in comparison with 53% of manufacturers – indicating vastly untapped potential for the UK services sector.
Read more
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Somerset Chamber welcomes high-ranking Chinese delegation
Th e Somerset Chamber held a special reception at Yeovil Innovation Centre last month to welcome a high-ranking delegation from Yueyang in the Hunan province of China, including General Directors from various departments of the Yueyang Municipal Government.
The delegation was visiting the county as part of a programme organised by Strode College and was keen to engage with businesses in Somerset, particularly those involved in commercial developments related to agri-tec and tourism.
Read more
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Export Focus: Briers Ltd
 Briers Ltd is an award-winning and internationally successful designer, distributor and manufacturer, specialising in gardening gloves, outwear and garden giftware. Located in Wincanton, the company has experienced annual growth of over 30%, with projected turnover for this year being £8.9million.
Although Briers Ltd only began trading internationally in 2012, it has built a network of international distributors covering Europe, the USA, Australia and Japan, with export already having a big impact on the company’s turnover. Here we find out more about the changes they have had to make to meet the demands of different markets, as well as getting their advice for companies interested in trading internationally.
Read more
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Santander Trade Mission to China, March 2016
 Santander is organising a Trade Mission to Shanghai, China from 13th-19th March 2016. Focused on businesses with a minimum turnover of £5million, the Mission is open to both non-customers and existing Santander customers. It will enable businesses to tap into China, the second largest economy in the world, through official meetings at the British Embassy, 1-2-1 meetings with importers and distributors in Shanghai, and various networking opportunities.
The closing date for this Trade Mission is 24th December. Click here to find out more or email breakthrough.events@santander.co.uk
Santander works closely with UKTI on its Trade Missions. Others scheduled so far for 2016 include Mumbai, India (24th-29th April); Abu Dhabi & Dubai, UAE (25th-29th September); Germany (October); and USA (November).
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Further information
For Somerset Chamber events, click here
For UKTI events, click here
Export assistance from the Somerset Chamber
If you are currently exporting or you are considering entering foreign markets, the Somerset Chamber can help through a variety of services and activities. To find out more about how we can help, please click here.
To speak to someone about international trade, please contact Linda Middleton-Jones at linda.m.jones@somerset-chamber.co.uk
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