The Midlands World Trade Forum is sponsored by The Royal Bank of 
Scotland and UK Trade & Investment Passport to Export Programme

Quarterly Newsletter                                               January 2008 


Greetings for 2008! Lightly said maybe but 2008 looks as if it is going to be a year of challenges.  The American market looks weak but the good news, as we start the year, is that the pound is also weak - helping our exports in a big way.  

The recent ups and downs in the financial markets mean that interesting times lie ahead of us but the European economy looks good and in fact the Euro itself is strong.  It will be interesting to see what happens in China and we shouldn’t forget emerging economies such as Russia and Brazil. 

Recent economic reports indicate that both the service and manufacturing sectors in the United Kingdom remain buoyant and there is no doubt that there are many, many leading edge companies in the UK and in the West Midlands, which we don't celebrate enough. 

When we travel abroad we need to reinforce the message about the many strengths of the UK.  Our own work ethic and interesting innovation here in the West Midlands is a pointer to that and this quarter’s member profile below is a further demonstration of our local innovation and expertise.

Our Midlands World Trade Forum also goes from strength to strength and we will ‘notch up’ our 700th member this month.  The success we have achieved goes way beyond the expectations we originally had when we launched in 2001.

As the new year dawns, so does a new era.  I am absolutely delighted to be passing on the baton of Chairman of the MWTF to Deborah Leary, an astute international player in her own right. Deb will take over the Chair at our AGM on 29th January 2008.  I am a great believer in continual change and continual reappraisal - that includes leadership as well, but I shall be happy to continue as the MWTF President.

On saying that, I would like to take this opportunity of underlining the support that we have, not just from the Board and our Executive Director, but also from you the membership itself.  It is absolutely great to have the opportunity of hearing your stories of international trade and long may it continue.

Once again, good trading for 2008!
 
Kind regards

Peter Mathews CMG
President & Chairman
Midlands World Trade Forum

Royal Bank of Scotland
The Royal Bank of Scotland are experiencing greater demand than ever before for assistance in International Trade matters from customers across the Midlands. This is as a result of greater focus from local companies on the opportunities that exist in international markets. 
Click here to read more. 

Goodbye European Information Centre - Hello Enterprise Europe
For the past 20 years the European Information Centre (EIC) network through its wide variety of services has assisted SMEs to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the EU. However it is all about to change, and for the good! 
Click here to read more.

International Trade Promotion Centre Services for UK Companies
The International Trade Promotion Centre based at the NEC Birmingham, provides free expert advice and guidance to UK-based companies wishing to grow their business overseas and to international companies wishing to set up or expand their business in the UK. 
Click here to read more. 

Wolverhampton University supporting the generation of ideas and business improvements in the West Midlands
The School of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Wolverhampton are in their second phase of delivery on four major Government funded projects to help SME’s in the West Midlands with the development of innovative ideas and business improvements. The projects have already helped over 1000 businesses and the second phase will finish in 2008 so if you require help it is best to get in quickly! 
Click here to read more.


Results of British Chambers of Commerce survey on international trade
Thank you to all members who took the time to contribute to the BCC survey. They have produced an overview of the survey, click here to read more.

Business in context
Click here to read about how Gaelle Roche set out in 2004 to start a business printing her photography onto laminated glass with the latest digital technologies thereby creating bespoke designs for the corporate and luxury markets. 

 Click here for forthcoming seminars and events

Click here to find out who the new members are this quarter

 

 

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