Export Week focus on Central and Eastern Europe

EXPORT Week, the drive to promote international trade across the region, concludes at a major event in Crewe today.

More than 100 people are expected at UK Trade & Investment’s event at Crewe Hall, which focused on opportunities in the critically-important markets of Central and Eastern Europe.

In 2013 exports from the North West to the EU was £14.2bn representing more than half the £27.5bn total, Sales to Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria amounted to £6.8bn.

Among the expert speakers and panelists is entrepreneur Melissa Burton, managing director of sugar-free sweet brand Goody Good Stuff.

Over the last four years New York-born Melissa has created an international business with products sold in more than 20 countries. Good Good Stuff was acquired in May 2013 by Swedish confectionery group Cloetta, in a deal set to fuel further international growth.

The other guest speakers taking part in panel debate are: Antonio Parentes, European business development manager, acdc Lighting; Peter Donnelly, partner, Baker Tilly; Gordon Iddon – director of transaction services of RBS Group; Nigel Schofield, group commercial director, Cresta World Travel.

UK Trade and Investment experts Kester McNorris and Paul Wilcox will be giving presentations, useful to both experienced and novice exporters.

Paul Stowers, deputy regional director of UKTI said: “Central and Eastern Europe are critically important export markets for the North West and the UK as a whole. After all, they are on our doorstep, and there are many opportunities across a range of sectors.

“There is a lot of help, advice, knowledge and support available to North West businesses from the UKTI , and the Export Week initiative highlights this.”