SME Exporters Treading Water

The BCC’s Trade Confidence Outlook research published last week showed no improvement in Q3 2023 with 49 per cent of SME exporters reporting no increase in overseas sales, and 25 per cent reporting a decrease.

The Trade Confidence Outlook, conducted by the BCC’s Insights Unit, is a survey of more than 2,000 UK SME exporters. It has revealed exports continue to languish for many of these firms as the global economy remains under pressure. 

2024 Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards entries open in November

The Department for Business and Trade’s 2024 Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards will open for entries on Friday 10 November 2023.

This year's categories are:

• Agriculture, Food & Drink
  
• Consultancy & Professional Services
  
• Creative Industries
  
• Education & EdTech
  
• Financial Services & FinTech
  
• Healthcare
  
• Infrastructure & Engineering
  
• Low Carbon Energy
  
• Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing & Construction
  
• Retail & Consumer Goods.

To find out more visit the awards website.

Please note that entries close on Sunday 14 January 2024.

Understanding Importing
Wednesday 8 November, 9.30am-1.00pm

Understanding Exporting
Wednesday 15 November, 9.30am-1.00pm

Inward & Outward Processing
Thursday 16 November, 9.30am-1.00pm

CDS: New Customs for Exports/Imports
Thursday 7 December, 9.30am-1.00pm

Export Strategy: Food & Drink
Thursday 14 December, 9.30am-1.00pm

You can view the full list of all our training 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.

Document Checking Workshops
Thursday 9 November, 10.00am-4.00pm

As part of International Trade Week, we are holding a document checking workshops at our Chamber Offices in Oakington, where you can visit us to obtain face to face training and guidance on completing and creating a number of key international trade documents.

10.00-11.00am
This session will help you to create and apply for a Certificate of Origin (UK and Arab) and a EUR1 Movement Certificate.

2.15-3.00pm
The afternoon session will explain what a manufacturer/supplier declaration should look like, and how to ensure you obtain a valid document that is sufficient to be able to verify origin when presented alongside a Certificate of Origin application.

As part of this day we are also offering 1-2-1 sessions with one of our experts (30 minute slots) - FREE to Members, and only £15.00 (plus VAT) for Non-members. You can use your timeslot to discuss any type of trade document you need help with or want to understand better, and you can even bring a document along to discuss!

Booking is first come first served so don’t delay!

To book your place, please click here.

The Summit, under the banner of 'Sustaining an Emerging Vision', will highlight the strategic UK-Arab partnership with an emphasis on the widening scope of cooperation within various sectors and industries. The event will seek to identify practical initiatives that can strengthen transnational trade ties and bilateral investment flows in the post-pandemic, post-Brexit low-carbon economy. Discussion will concentrate on sustainable tourism, e-commerce, franchising, as well as the banking and financial industry.

This high-level event will bring together government officials, senior executives, thought leaders and decision-makers from across the UK and the Arab world to share their ideas and debate the diverse trade and investment opportunities that are emerging in the new technology-based industries.

The Chamber has access to two free tickets to this event. Please contact Karen Cash if you are interested.

UK Trade and Export Finance Forum 2023
Thursday 23 November

Join over 700 leaders in business and finance in London for a full day of engaging sessions that will provide you with updated insight and new business connections to support you in your export journey.

View the agenda and register here.

MUSIAD 2024 EXPO
26-29 November 2024
Tuyap Istanbul Fair Convention and Congress Centre

MUSIAD EXPO opens its doors for the 20th time in 2024. This event brings together investors, industrialists and entrepreneurs from all over the world.

Download the event flyer here.

2023 ECJU Export Control Symposium
Wednesday 29 November
Leonardo Royal Hotel, London Tower Bridge

The Symposium will comprise:

• Plenary session - senior government officials and industry talking about strategic export controls and the challenges of trading in a changing world
  
• Specialist workshops including understanding the new strategic controls criteria and how it is applied to managing risk; protecting classified information and material; how to make strong licence applications; impact of sanctions on exports; enforcement and interception of shipments; US ITAR for Beginners and Intermediate level
• Networking 'village' where delegates can talk to the Trade Associations and officials across government.

Cost £240.00 per delegate (VAT included). Lunch and refreshments provided.

SAVE THE DATE

The US withdrew support last week from its 2019 proposals on data flows in e-commerce tabled at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). This comes as a blow to hopes for an international accord on digital trade. The move is widely seen as driven by domestic US policy considerations on regulation of tech firms.

An agreement on extended cumulation with EU content in trade in goods between the UK and South Korea was reached recently, extending the application of these rules until 1 January 2026. Negotiations with South Korea for an upgraded trade agreement are expected to begin before the end of 2023.

The BCC took part in a discussion on UK-EU trade pre-2024 and beyond with British Chambers in EU and Brussels ahead of our delegation to the EU institutions next month.