Chamber hosts one day international

Chris Fletcher, Deputy Chief Executive at the Chamber

The Emirates Old Trafford has played host to a large number of overseas visitors over the years, but there’s probably never been as wide a mix at any one time than the group of 12 overseas chambers and trade organisations that met on Tuesday for Greater Manchester Chamber’s “Market Connections” event.

Ahead of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) international trade conference on Thursday, Manchester was chosen not only to host the advance party of trade visitors to find out more about how chambers operate across the world, but also to allow local businesses looking to export to get first hand knowledge about market conditions.

Chris Fletcher from Greater Manchester Chamber said: “This is probably the most ambitious event we have run and working closely with colleagues from BCC we have made some great connections with colleagues representing chambers from major overseas growth markets. There is no substitute for on the ground experience to help exporters make an impact in overseas markets.

“In addition we have also thrown the doors open to local businesses so that they can start to find out more about key overseas markets as well as create some useful contacts. Working with local colleagues in UKTI and nationally with BCC the message really is about if you are thinking about exporting give it a go but speak with the experts first. By working closely with people who know these markets inside out, coupled with years of experience working abroad and here in the UK the level of support has never been better. The Chamber is proud to be involved in this unique opportunity."

The event was the first of its kind ahead of the official launch of the Overseas Chamber Initiative which GMCC is supporting. The markets represented were Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Sierra Leone, Poland, Turkey, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, India and China.