Last few days to have your say in the International Trade Survey 2023

The latest British Chambers of Commerce Trade Survey is live until Friday 11 August and focuses on the following:

• Trends in trade
  
• Brexit and the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
  
• Global trade and protectionism
  
• Digitalisation/ artificial intelligence.
  

A few minutes of your time can help ensure that the UK Government, Bank of England, and national media are fully aware of the challenges and opportunities currently facing your business.

Moneycorp monthly update

The monthly newsletter from Moneycorp aims to distil the month ahead into one place to refer back to when making decisions on FX risk-management and planning.

Every business has a unique FX requirement, and their own strategy to deal with the risk that creates, so Sophia Awan, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Moneycorp is happy to discuss with Chamber members how the information provided in the monthly update could affect your business.

You can contact Sophia directly on 07785 462091 or email Sophia.Awan@moneycorp.com.

SAVE THE DATE

Engineering Supply Chain Show
16-18 April 2024
NEC Birmingham

The Engineering Supply Chain Show is co-located with the long-established MACH 2024 Exhibition and will take place at the NEC, Birmingham in April.

The Engineering Supply Chain Show is where engineering and manufacturing buyers go to find world-class suppliers, exclusively in the UK engineering and manufacturing supply chain.

To exhibit, companies must be UK registered and offer capacity in subcontract or supply chain services. Examples include precision machined-parts subcontracting, casting and forgings, coatings, mechatronic and electronic design and assembly, extrusion, fabrication, finishing, forming, pressings and stampings, plastics, tool making, forming and manipulation, vacuum technology and design, development, testing services and any services and products assisting companies in the sector.

Further details here.

You can view the full list of all our courses on the Chamber website.

Courses can also be tailored to meet your company’s specific requirements. For more information about a bespoke course for your company, which can be delivered remotely or in person, please contact the Chamber on 01223 237414.

UKCA and CE Marking - last week, the UK Government announced an indefinite extension of the CE mark recognition beyond its former 2024 deadline. The BCC had campaigned for this on behalf of the Chamber Network for the last two years. You can read the BCC response here. 

UK-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement roundtable - on Thursday 14 September, the Department for Business and Trade will be holding a virtual SME Roundtable alongside the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) to discuss negotiations on an enhanced UK-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Sign up for the event here, submitting your name, organisation and if possible, the nature of your business ties with Switzerland. You can also submit questions in advance of the meeting.

Gulf Co-operation Council case studies - the UK is currently in the process of negotiating an FTA with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a customs bloc made up of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) would like to hear from any businesses in Chamber membership who already successfully trade or are planning to launch in one of these countries. Contact DBT here. 

DEFRA have announced the deferral of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging payments from October 2024 to October 2025. Please find more details in this letter from the Director of Resources and Waste, Emma Bourne OBE.

The UK recently joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Once Parliament returns from summer recess a lengthy ratification period will kickstart with the UK government introducing new primary legislation in the House of Commons. In preparation for this, the BCC would like to hear from Chamber members, particularly around any areas that they are concerned about, including any possible issues or difficulties with the UK joining CPTPP. If you have anything in mind, please get in touch with Karen Cash before the end of August.