Liverpool business chiefs launch export network
BUSINESS leaders from across the Liverpool City Region have joined forces to create the Liverpool Exporters Network to boost international trade.
Around 200 delegates attended the first “Global Connections” event at Liverpool John Lennon Airport to learn from each other about being a success abroad.
The Network has been created to support existing and new exporters to accelerate export driven growth and make the city one of the foremost international trading regions in the world.
Businesses which operate in and around the City Region, including Liverpool, Wirral, Halton, Knowsley, St Helens and Sefton are eligible to join the network, backed by the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Sefton Council and UKTI.
It is the first time all the local authorities and Chambers of Commerce in the City Region have come together to strengthen links for exporting around the world.
At the launch an ‘Exporter’s Masterclass was given by Clarke Energy, which specialises in energy efficient power plants, Typhoo, 4040 Media a creative services and software company and the Leather Satchel Co, who have grown from a shop on Smithdown Road in Liverpool to selling their goods in 72 countries around the world.
Peter Szabadhegy, the Hungarian Ambassador, was one of the keynote speakers alongside Mike Rutter, the chief commercial officer of Aer Lingus whose 16 flights per week to Dublin from Liverpool start later this month, connecting Liverpool direct to many destinations in the US and Canada via Dublin.
The Liverpool Exporters Network will work closely with next year’s International Festival for Business (IFB 2016) to help local business take advantage of such a major international event on the doorstep to develop global networks.
At the network launch, Ian McCarthy, IFB programme director said: “Analysis from IFB 2014 indicated that some £300m of additional trade and investment has been generated or will be generated as a result of the festival. We aim to significantly exceed that in 2016.”
UKTI has supported more than 8,000 organisations in the North West which has resulted in £122m for the region’s economy in the last 12 months.
Mark Basnett, from the Liverpool City Region LEP, said: “Accelerating our region’s export led business growth is one of our core economic objectives.
Liverpool was built on trade and export and it is the export growth ambitions and capability of our businesses which will define our future as a global trading capital.
“We are hugely encouraged with the response of the Region’s exporters to this event and the launch of the network. There is a real appetite amongst businesses to work together and generate growth through sharing experience and good practice and collaborating in export markets.
“Any business interested in joining the network should get in touch with us here at the LEP or any of our Local Authority and Chamber partners.”
Gavin Quinn, from InvestSefton, Sefton council’s business support and investment service, added: “From our earliest conversations with local exporting businesses it became clear that one of the key things that they needed was a forum where they could share knowledge, experience, ideas and networks with other businesses.
“Businesses’ helping other businesses is a great way to compliment the superb support offered by people such as UKTI.”
