Dear  MWTF Member     The one constant in life is change and with change comes opportunity and challenges.  As the new Chair of the MWTF it is with great pleasure that I have the opportunity to welcome you to this quarter’s newsletter, particularly as it gives me the ideal opportunity to pay tribute to our past Chairman, Peter Mathews.  It cannot be underestimated how much Peter contributed to the success of the MWTF and I personally have him to thank for making my role all the easier.  As Peter remains as our President I am pleased to say that we shall still reap the benefit of his vision and energy with regards to international trade.  So I take this opportunity to say thank you to Peter for all that you have done as Chair of the MWTF and thank you for your ongoing support as our President.

This Forum is the voice of people who are proactively engaged in international trade and who are focussed on developing their businesses, their people and overall contributing to the success of the UK economy.  As your new Chair I want you to take time to appreciate the value of what you do and to recognise as a Forum we need your proactive engagement.  I am committed to ensuring that the MWTF will actively lobby on issues that are important to you and to the region, always with the larger vision of ensuring that we are playing our part in the global economy. To those members who are already actively involved I say thank you for your energy and commitment, to those who are new or have not had the opportunity to be involved previously I would invite you to attend an event or speak with other members  As you read this Newsletter I hope you look forward with enthusiasm and passion to the year ahead.  This is a year of opportunity. Deborah Leary - MWTF Chair CEO Forensic Pathways Ltd.

The Royal Bank of Scotland There has been much debate recently within the banking industry around “The Financial Supply Chain” and the benefits to businesses if it were to become more integrated with the Physical Supply Chain. Banks are currently developing new initiatives that offer solutions that meet the finance requirements of both the supplier and buyer by delivering access to lowest cost funding through the supply chain.   For further information on this article please click here

MWTF member Kinetic AIU Member Profile.  Midlands World Trade Forum member Kinetic AIU has been selected as architects for the new discovery centre at Lichfield Cathedral.   Read more about this project and also their plans for developing their international activities by clicking here

USA Lifestyles: Americans Hang On As Shifting Economic Events Shape 2008 “American consumers might very well remember Bette Davis’ famous movie line, “Fasten your seat belts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.” “ Read a States' side view of the American economy from Stephen Esbin, a regular contributor to the MWTF quarterly newsletters. To view the full article please click here Birmingham International Business Communications Language skills can be a major contributor to a company's success in international trade.  MWTF President Peter Mathews CMG endorsed this view when he spoke at a conference on Languages, Business and Intercultural Skills in Brussels last year. BIBC (Birmingham International Business Communications) at the University of Birmingham also speaks out on the importance of developing such skills and offers a range of courses to suit most requirements.  To read the full article and for information on their language courses please click here. Forthcoming Seminars & Visits Information of forthcoming Seminars & Overseas Market Visits (Including seminars on the Reach Directive, Import Procedures & Visits to China, Jamaica, Nigeria and many more) For more information please click here

Dissertation Leadership Programme If your company is considering buying in from China, outsourcing to India, or market entry into Eastern Europe or South America, it is well worth considering whether an International Business postgraduate from Birmingham Business school could make a useful contribution in a two-month project this summer  For more information about this programme please  click here  For Questions and Answers about this programme please click here Global Access for your products made in the Midlands It is difficult for a SME to know, understand & keep an update about all national regulations for product safety. It is time consuming and often brings difficulties for smaller companies to discuss these issues with the different authorities in all of those countries. TUV Rheinland UK, one of MWTF's newer members, can offer to support you.  For further information on the expertise they have to offer please click here. New Members this Quarter Please click here to view the list of companies who have recently joined the MWTF this quarter.

   
        Thank you Glenis for taking time to read this newsletter.
We hope you found it interesting.