Chambers trade on track record to win £7.5m contract

CHAMBERS of Commerce across the West Midlands have won a major Government contract worth more than £7.5m over the next three years to deliver international trade services across the region.

The Chambers will deliver the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) international trade services contract in the West Midlands to help businesses of all sizes to explore export markets, seen as one of the key elements for businesses to succeed in today’s tough economic climate and part of the Government’s ambitions to create economic growth.

The bid was put together by West Midlands Chambers of Commerce, a joint venture of the region’s six Chambers, headed by managing director Allen Matty and supported by director of business development Helen Phillips and partnership manager Steve Havins.

The winning bid was supported by the six West Midlands local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) as well as the region’s universities, science parks, local MPs and businesses and the Chambers team will be working with the LEPs and other local partners to ensure that international trade services are delivered in line with LEP priorities and will meet the needs of local businesses.

Matty said: “We have a strong track record of providing international trade support to businesses in the West Midlands, having delivered the programme for the past five years. Some 31 UKTI international trade advisers across the region will work on the contract and we believe our vast connectivity, networks and market reach, together with our past record of success, helped to win the business against some tough competition.”

Matty said the Chambers will be encouraging more companies to export for the first time and assisting current exporters to expand into new international markets.

“The UKTI international trade offering enables us to help companies with all aspects of trading overseas, including help with researching markets, exploring overseas joint ventures, visiting overseas markets and exhibitions, export documentation, language and translation services, export training and specific support from experts with detailed knowledge of different markets and sectors,” he said.

He pointed out that according to official statistics only about 7,000 of the 160,000 businesses in the West Midlands with export potential were currently exporting.