Business Link | Sherie Griffiths

October 23, 2009

“Forthcoming Events”

Filed under: Uncategorised — Tags: Algeria, Bahrain, Business Link, Chamber Of Commerce, Contact Point, Dubai Air Show, Forthcoming Events, Gov Uk, Invitations, Libya, London Business, London Chamber Of Commerce, London London, Relevant Organisation, S Arabia, Trade Fairs, Trade Missions, Uk Business, Uk Opportunities, Ukti — sheriegriffiths.com @ 10:12 am

Given the nature of what I do, I receive many invitations to seminars, specific country events, etc. Although I attend many, to keep up to date with what’sgoing on in specific countries and regions, I cannot attend every one and I’m sure that some may be of interest to you if you are looking for more information or want to target certain countries and areas. Some events are free, others have a cost attached; however, you can easily find more information by contacting the relevant organisation.

UKTI – www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
Business and Culture in China – 20th Nov. London.
Business and Culture in Brazil – 14th Jan. London.
Exploring Mexico – 18th Nov. London.

London Chamber of Commerce -www.londonchamber.co.uk
Opportunities in S Arabia – 2nd Nov. London

UKTI are also an ideal contact point if you want to find our more about Trade Missions to specific countries. You usually need to arrange these well in advance but, by way of example, in the next couple of months there will be missions to S.Arabia, Libya, Bahrain, Algeria and others. They also have details of overseas trade fairs, e.g. Dubai Air Show in November. Business Link are also good for information – if you already have a Business Link advisor, speak to him/her, as, for some visits,
part funding can be available.

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September 21, 2009

“Some International Trade Seminars And Resources”

Filed under: Uncategorised — Tags: Business Link, Businesslink, Eei, England International, Extensive Research, Financial Solutions, Global Trade Network, Gov Uk, Gtnetwork, Independent Person, International Trade Resources, International Trade Seminars, International Www, Inward Investment, Network Www, Overseas Businesses, Overseas Markets, Ray Stannard, Signpost, Ukti — sheriegriffiths.com @ 9:46 am

From Ray Stannard of International Trade Financial Solutions
Check out the new website at http://www.inttradefinsolns.co.uk

Below are details of some upcoming seminars which might be of interest to you if you’re looking to move into particular overseas markets, along with links to other more general international trade resources.

Global Trade Network – www.gtnetwork.co.uk – run periodicly, Country specific 1 day seminars. Future ones include Entering Russia [15th Oct] and Entering the European Market [26th Nov]. If you’re looking for new markets, or have identified possibilities, see if they have a seminar coming up. Costs and usually minimal and you also have the chance to set up a stand, for a small additional fee.

East of England International – www.eei-online.com – is part of UKTI and works with any business in the East of England who is looking to export as well as looking to attract overseas businesses/inward investment into the area. Again, they run regular workshops and seminars at minimal cost, often featuring specific regions.

Business Link East – www.businesslink.gov.uk/east – provide free business support advisors to any SME in the area and can be not only a useful independent person to bounce ideas off of, but can also help signpost you to other providers which will allow you to take your business onwards. They also have an extensive research department available.

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“Foreign Exchange Rates”

Filed under: Uncategorised — Tags: Benchmark, Business Link, Business Support, Businesslink, Eei, England International, Extensive Research, Financial Solutions, Foreign Exchange Rates, Free Business, Gov Uk, Independent Person, International Trade Seminars, International Www, Inward Investment, Overseas Businesses, Ray Stannard, Signpost, Sme, Ukti — sheriegriffiths.com @ 9:42 am

From Ray Stannard of International Trade Financial Solutions
Check out the new website at http://www.inttradefinsolns.co.uk

Next: “Some International Trade Seminars and Resources”.

There’s no charge as such when you buy/sell currency; it’s built into the exchange rate. However, it has been reported that some banks especially, have recently tweaked the rates on smaller deals and widened the margin, i.e. they are giving you a worse rate and taking a larger slice of commission for themselves. Almost impossible to prove, but it re-inforces the need for everyone to review their FX provider on a regular basis and ensure that you’re still getting acceptable rates. Benchmark and, if you’re not happy, move to someone who is better. Let me know: I can put you in touch with possible new providers.

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September 7, 2009

Export Trade Markets

Filed under: Uncategorised — Tags: Business Link, Consular Staff, Counterparties, England International, European Markets, Export Trade, Finance Matters, Global Concern, Global Trade Network, Gtnetwork, Information Events, International Www, Itfs, Keynote Speaker, Network Www, Opening Doors, Shipping Agent, Trade Commissioner, Trade Markets, Trade Missions — sheriegriffiths.com @ 8:06 am

“From International Trade Financial Solutions – http://www.inttradefinsolns.co.uk”

Did you know that there’s a lot of help for exporters and would be exporters in finding new markets throughout the world from the likes of UKTI and various other bodies?

Trade Missions, sponsored at national and local level, can be a good way not only of visiting a specific country, but with the backing of UK plc. Often this will include the help and services of the local embassy/consular staff and can do wonders in opening doors. And no, you do not have to be a multi million £ global concern; I’ve known small, local businesses who’ve been on them and found them invaluable.

Remember that it is always a good idea to keep in regular contact with your counterparties, and what better way to impress them than to be part of an official UK led tour? Yes, there are costs, but often these can be subsidised, even on a matched funding basis in some cases. If you already deal with Business Link or East of England international [ www.eei-online.com ], speak to them and see if there’s anything coming up for the country/countries that you are looking at.
There are also regular UK based trade information events given by various parties – one example being Global Trade Network – www.gtnetwork.co.uk. In the coming months, they have evening seminars in the South East on S Africa, Russia and European markets. The S African one, for example, costs £15 per delegate and is being held in September in Luton with the UK Trade Commissioner for S Africa being the keynote speaker.

So why not make some enquiries – you may be surprised at what help there is available in finding new overseas contacts and, once you’ve done that, don’t forget to sort out the finance matters by asking ITFS to advise you, as well as ensuring that, if you are dealing in goods, your shipping agent covers any new markets into which you are venturing.

Good Luck!

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April 15, 2009

International Trade Single Window

The following article is taken from the April newsletter of one of our professional members, International Trade Financial Solutions, who specialize in ‘Minimising Commercial Risks When Trading Abroad’.

Http://www.inttradefinsolns.co.uk
For more information you can also call Ray Stannard on
01708 370838

International Trade Single Window.

Known as ‘ITSW’ for short, it’s a recent development by various parties, including
Business Link, HMRC, UKTI and others. It’s been set up to try to simplify and standardise much of what has been written about international trade. However, what is relatively new is that it looks not only at UK exports, but also imports, so it’s one of the
few Governmental websites that acknowledges the importance importers play in the
overall wheels of commerce. There are various links to it, but a simple Google of
‘ITSW’ will throw up several links on the 1st page. Don’t be put off by the top
link ITSW2009 – International Test Synthesis Workshop – this is something entirely
unrelated!. The Business Link page is probably the most relevant -
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/internationaltrade

ITSW is essentially a web based information service that allows anyone, regardless
of previous international trade experience, to access basic information to get them
started and also to drill down to specific industries, trade associations, etc.,
as well as looking at tariff duties What’s more, it’s free to interrogate. It doesn’t quite do away with me [phew!] but it can answer many questions that importers
and exporters have and/or allow them to ask more specific questions relevant to their
particular industry/shipment. Currently, it is still being completed – 2011 is the
expected completion date, but don’t let that put you off: there is already a significant
amount of information and links to related pages available.

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