West Midlands showcases itself to foreign trade delegates

THE traditional strengths of the West Midlands economy have been displayed to a series of foreign delegates this month.

Business, leisure and cultural links between Wolverhampton and Canada were examined during a visit to the city by the Canadian High Commissioner Gordon Campbell.

Also, Malvern MP Harriett Baldwin showed off what her constituency had to offer when it hosted a visit from Russian trade delegates.

Mr Campbell’s visit was the fulfilment of a key aim of the city council’s All Party Canada Group, which was formed last year.
 
During a busy programme, Mr Campbell was greeted by the Mayor, Cllr Mrs Christine Mills, attended a meeting on economic development with the council’s cabinet member for Regeneration and Enterprise, Cllr Peter Bilson and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, Geoff Layer and made a speech to representatives of the chamber of commerce, the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and local businesses.

He also took time to visit the university and to see some of the work being carried out there.

Mr Campbell said: “I’m delighted to be in Wolverhampton to promote Canada’s ties with businesses here and to call attention to the opportunities that exist for Canada-UK partnerships. We have a strong commercial relationship which has the potential to spur new growth, jobs and improved economic prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.”  

Ms Baldwin took the Russian visitors on a VIP tour of the Morgan Motor factory with owner Charles Morgan. This was followed by a networking session with businesses at Malvern Hills Science Park.

The delegation included a senior minister from the Ulyanovsk government as well as trade delegation representatives.

She also held talks with the region’s Governor in Westminster as part of a week-long visit to the UK.

“Russia is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and British exports to Russia have been growing fast. There is enormous potential for more growth,” she said.

“My efforts have led to us lifting a long-standing ban on exporting British beef to Russia and I know there are lots of other opportunities for UK firms to trade with Russia.

“Ulyanovsk is a similar region to Worcestershire, located on the River Volga and has a defence, engineering and aerospace heritage.”

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