Chamber of commerce looks to boost Commonwealth trade

Paul Faulkner, chief executive, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

An initiative to drive trade between businesses in Greater Birmingham and those in the Commonwealth has been launched by the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

The Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce (GBCCC) becomes the tenth division of the parent chamber and is aimed at offering membership-based services to businesses to develop trade links in Commonwealth countries.

The chamber said it believed Commonwealth countries represented a largely untapped market, and one which had been overshadowed by the UK’s relationship with the European Union.

Currently, the EU accounts for 44% of all UK exports, whereas countries in the Commonwealth only make up 9% of export output.

The possibility of the Commonwealth Games heading for Birmingham in 2022 is also a major driver for the project.

The GBCCC will look to promote local businesses to Commonwealth countries through its connections with overseas High Commissions and Consulates in the UK, British diplomatic posts overseas and British Chambers of Commerce overseas (through the British Chambers Overseas Business Network).

GBCC chief executive Paul Faulkner said: “The launch of the GBCCC builds on all of the great international activity we do at present.

“Through our International Business Hub, our European programmes, the British American Business Council Midlands Chapter and our Department for International Trade (DIT) contract, we already have tremendous knowledge and experience in this field.

“Birmingham’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022 has shone a light on the strong links which already exist between the city and the Commonwealth.

“Developing trade links with Commonwealth countries has never been more important as the UK prepares to leave the European Union.”

The GBCC has recently supported a Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce event in Birmingham, while president Paul Faulkner joined West Midlands Mayor Andy Street on a trade mission to Toronto.

The Department for International Trade team at the chamber is also supporting a Midlands Engine visit to the Auto Expo Components event in New Delhi in February.

A GBCCC launch event is currently being planned for early 2018, which will feature high-profile speakers from Commonwealth embassies.

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