BCC trade visit to USA

BCC Director General, Shevaun Haviland, is in the US this week on a five-day mission to promote business and investment opportunities between the historic trading partners.

The trip has been organised ahead of the US elections as issues around trade agreements, tariffs, supply-chain disruption, subsidies, protectionism and geo-political tensions all gather momentum.

Along with the BCC’s Director of UK and International Membership, Anne-Marie Martin, she will spend two days in Washington DC before travelling on to New York.

In Washington she will meet with the US Council for International Business, the US Chamber of Commerce, the Minister-Counsellor for Trade and Global Issues at the British Embassy, SelectUSA and the US Treasury. In New York she will speak to His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for North America and visit the United Nations.

She will also connect with the BCC’s US affiliate - British American Business, before supporting a West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce trade reception at the British Consulate.

The West & North Yorkshire Chamber’s trade mission will build on BCC’s visit and is celebrating the links between the historic cities of York and New York, and the global opportunities that exist for trade between the two.

Importance of US trade to the UK economy (source DBT)

• UK exported £193.1bn of goods and services to US in 12 months up to September 2023
• UK imported £122bn of goods and services from US in 12 months up to September 2023
  
• The US is the UK’s largest individual nation trading partner - accounting for 17.7% of all UK trade
  
• US Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the UK - £675.7bn in 2021, 26.1% of total
  
• UK FDI into US - £461.4bn in 2021, 33.7% of total
  
• Exports - Goods £63bn, Services £130.1bn
  
• Imports - Goods £62.9bn, Services £59.1bn
  

Global Britain Challenge Report

This report summarises the approach of the British Chambers of Commerce to help the UK grow and prosper as an independent nation. It covers an analysis of Britain’s place in the world and the world’s place in Britain. It summarises our trade performance and success in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and proposes recommendations to improve our impressive track record.

Last week, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Policy team led a discussion at the EU Mission in London with representatives from the member states on developing the UK’s trade and economic relationship with the EU. They presented findings and data from our policy outputs on trade.

William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, participated in the UK Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) with business, labour and third sector stakeholders last Friday in Edinburgh on the EU Trading Relationship. The priorities report contains several BCC asks for the work of the DAG in the year ahead.

The next phase of the GB inbound border controls is due to be introduced today, Tuesday 30 April. Workarounds have been put in place to ensure any data mismatches on key IT systems do not cause an automatic reference to border control posts and customs hold at ports in the first period of its operation. Please let us know of any issues that arise.

You can view the full list of all our training courses for 2024 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.

The 3i Africa Summit
13-15 May 2024
Accra International Conference Centre, Ghana

The UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend the 3i Africa Summit next month. The summit will address key opportunities within Africa‘s fintech sector, explore how markets and companies are leapfrogging legacy technologies and identify much-needed dialogues.

3i Africa will drive the dialogue at the intersection of policy, finance, and technology - with inclusion and sustainability at its heart.

Trade Mission to Azerbaijan
12-15 May 2024

Organised by the British Chamber of Commerce Azerbaijan (BCCA), this trade mission offers UK companies the opportunity to engage with key stakeholders in Azerbaijan.

Some of the stakeholders include AzPromo, the Azerbaijan Investment Company, the Ministry of Ecology, and the COP29 Management Team in Baku.

This full day conference will be an opportunity for business leaders from across the UK, and the globe, to come together to discuss the key challenges to build a better future for business, the economy, and people in our local communities.

The conference will be centred around five key breakout sessions:

• People and Work
  
• Global Britain
  
• Digital Revolution
  
• Green Innovation
  
• Local Economy of the Future.

Throughout the day, delegates will hear from key senior politicians and other notable public figures and engage in thought-provoking discussions with colleagues from across the Chamber Network.

Away from the sessions, the Networking Zone is an opportunity for delegates to meet existing and new contacts; and the exhibition stands will see the best of British business, and the Chamber Network, from across the UK and around the world showcasing their work.