Overseas visitors open up world of export to city region firms

22nd October 2014

Representatives from more than 40 companies across the Sheffield City Region attended a special business export event to meet overseas visitors from countries including South Africa, Chile and the Philippines.

More than 70 business people met the visitors from nine high-growth international markets at the third 'Meet and Build' event to expand their international network of personal business contacts through the Overseas Business Network (OBN) initiative. Hosted by the South Yorkshire International Trade Centre, the event welcomed the following: Adderrahmane Ifsasse - British Chamber of Commerce for Morocco Filip Franek - British Chamber of Commerce, Czech Republic Cristina Ungureanu - British Romanian Chamber of Commerce Wai Kit Ho - British Business Group of Vietnam Roy Dallison - The British Chamber of Commerce. Philippines. Joe Hepworth - British Business Centres in the United Arab Emirates Barry Nicholson - British Chamber of Commerce in Thailand Greg Holland - Britcham Chile David Dawson - British Chamber of Business in Southern Africa Global trade help and advice was also on hand at the event from SYITC partners including Sheffield International Freight Terminal 512, Finch Insurance, Hill Dickinson, Good Travel Management and UHY Hacker Young. Nick Patrick, head of international trade at SYITC, part of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, said: -The third event was another resounding success, providing a valuable insight and exciting platform for South Yorkshire companies from all business sectors. -We were able to introduce small medium and large businesses - many of whom have not yet ventured into overseas business development - to representatives from key international markets. -The B2B introductions not only provide a personal contact, but can also assist with business administration facilities and hot desk offices when they visit the OBN markets. -All of the international visitors come to Sheffield because they want to help businesses of all sizes and from all sectors to start building a growing and sustainable business presence in their countries. Since the first OBN event in Sheffield our local business community has been introduced to 17 high growth markets. -We are proud to be connected with the British Chamber of Commerce's Overseas Business Network initiative and are looking forward to introducing all of the 41 countries to Sheffield in 2015. The fourth Meet and Build event will be in November with a focus on Eastern European Community Countries, followed by South America in the New Year. SYITC offers broad support for local businesses to grow their global market, including assisting exporters throughout the process of completing the documentation - from choosing the correct documents to ensuring they are completed correctly. The OBN Initiative has been developed by the British Chambers of Commerce in conjunction with the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, SYITC and Yorkshire & Humber Chamber of Commerce. For more information about the OBN visit www.exportbritain.org.uk.