Business opportunities in the Baltic States
Released: 8 October 2007
Wolverhampton businesses have a unique opportunity to find out about potential trade links with the Baltic States at an event in the city later this month.
As part of its ongoing commitment to promoting business growth at an international level Wolverhampton City Council in partnership with UK Trade and Investment and Midlands World Trade Forum are holding a breakfast seminar on Wednesday 17 October 2007 at Wolverhampton Racecourse, to promote business opportunities within the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Representatives from the Lithuanian and Estonian Embassies, including the Lithuanian Ambassador, will highlight the potential for business expansion and trading opportunities and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia will be on hand to outline any inward investment opportunities.
Lithuania's Ambassador, His Excellency Vygaudas Usackas, will be joined at the event by the Consul for Lithuania in the West Midlands and Worcestershire, Keith Stokes-Smith.
After the seminar the Ambassador and Consul will visit Wolverhampton University where they will meet with Prof. Caroline Gipps, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Geoff Hurd, Deputy Vice Chancellor Jo Gittens, Director of International, and representatives from the History and Governance Research Institute.
It is already planned for the Ambassador and the Consul to return to Wolverhampton in the near future to further explore potential links between the city and Lithuania.
Deputy Leader of Wolverhampton City Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise, Councillor Peter Bilson, said: “The Baltic States are a fascinating region and an area with which we have much in common.
“The UK is a major investor in these countries and UK exports are significant, reaching £374.4m in 2005. The priority sectors of anticipated business opportunity in these three countries present great opportunities for Wolverhampton companies.
“It is important that we raise awareness of these key industry markets whilst the current trade climate is so favourable”, he added.
The major sectors of anticipated business opportunity are Biotechnology, Tourism and Leisure, Financial Services (including private/public partnerships) Construction (including ground remediation and regeneration) Chemicals and Information Communication Technology.
UKTI will focus on the mechanics of business relationships and how best to embark upon successful business deals. A local concrete products company, Instarmac will outline how they successfully embarked upon doing business in the Baltic States and the challenges they encountered along the way.
The event is targeted at Wolverhampton and Black Country businesses with a particular focus on companies who are already exporting their products and services across the world.
Businesses from outside this primary area are equally welcome to attend however they must book early as places may need to be limited for non-Wolverhampton and Black Country businesses.
Companies wanting to book a place at the breakfast seminar or find out more about business opportunities in the Baltic States can contact Joy Holland at Wolverhampton City Council or telephone 01902 554031.
Issued by the press office.