Midlands Engine powers up for export boost
How the Midlands Engine will support firms looking to develop their international trade plans is to be outlined at a new business conference.
The various options will be outlined at the first Midlands Engine International Trade Summit this spring.
The Department for International Trade, which is organising the event, has lined up a series of finance experts and business leaders to speak at the summit.
International Trade Minister and Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier will deliver the keynote speech at the event, which takes place at The Vox, Resorts World Birmingham, on Thursday, March 9.
He will be joined by Patrick Magee, chief operating officer at the British Business Bank, and Louis Taylor, CEO of British Export Finance. Also addressing delegates is Lee Hopley, chief economist at manufacturers’ organisation EEF.
Ian Harrison, acting director of the Department for International Trade Midlands, said: “The Midlands Engine is a flagship Government initiative that is single-mindedly focused on driving growth and productivity, raising the ambitions of business and attracting investment.
“This summit will enable companies to interact with inspirational speakers from the worlds of export finance, business and Government, as well as hear from potential business partners.”
Delegates will also be able to attend a series of workshops on topics such as exporting and using the web to sell, and arrange one-to-one meetings with experts in the fields of finance, overseas markets and export.
With the prospect of leaving the EU now more of a certainty, the DIT wants to see more firms developing export strategies as a way of generating important revenue, and for the longer term, supporting wider economic growth.
