WMCC pilots new export service for region’s SMEs

THE West Midlands Chambers of Commerce is piloting a new service designed to help the region’s SMEs take advantage of new export opportunities.

The new service can produce all documentation needed for any international shipment and provides specialist expertise to handle a Letter of Credit, translation services, online credit checks or cargo insurance, all using Acorn Interactive.
 
Helen Phillips, director of business development at the WMCC, said: “It will save businesses time, in that all possible export documents can be prepared by entering the data just once.  The documents can then be shared with and collected by the overseas customer or printed and sent to the bank or other third party as required.”
 
For smaller companies, which lack the resource or time, a full management service provided by any of the West Midlands Chambers of Commerce will create all the documents a company needs and will process shipments on their behalf.
 
There are plans for both import and export training courses including an online interactive course for delegates who prefer to train in their own time.  The online international trade training will give companies a cost-effective, time efficient solution to up-skill their staff, access up-to-date knowledge, and build and maintain an international edge over their competitors.  There will also be access to book a general international trade course for those who prefer to learn in a class room.  

Croners has created a lighter version of its ‘Reference Book for Exporters’ so that businesses can obtain country information, such as currency and language and find out when public holidays are.
 
“Legal requirements differ from country to country and it is essential to have a clear contract of sale.  Model contracts can be downloaded for agents and distributors.  There is easy access to vital information and exporting terms that will help companies to grow their business overseas,” added Ms Phillips.
 
“Acorn Interactive is a new innovative service for the small to medium sized exporter or the developing exporter, bringing everything they would need to help them on their export journey in to one place, and not just provide knowledge, but the tools to do things and to help businesses succeed in international trade.”  
 
The WMCC brings together six chambers: Birmingham Group, Black Country, Coventry & Warwickshire, Herefordshire & Worcestershire, North Staffordshire and Shropshire. It represents 13,500 businesses, from large international groups to small emerging companies.