Insider Media Limited

Insider’s Midlands International Trade Breakfast 2011 is approaching fast, but there is still time to secure your place for this exclusive event on 18 November at the Mint Hotel in Birmingham.

Panellists at the event include: Gurdeep Bath, export manager, Perfection Foods; William Barker, managing partner, Martineau; Doug Mahoney, international trade director West Midlands, UKTI; and John Nollett, managing director, Pailton Engineering.

Export is at the top of the government’s growth agenda, and it is widely recognised that Midlands companies need to seize overseas opportunities whilst the domestic market remains sluggish.

In this Question Time style event we discuss the main challenges facing established exporters, and those looking to enter the overseas market for the first time. We’ll examine the emerging markets and ask where the next growth opportunities are to be found.

World trade contracted by approximately 10 per cent in 2009, but projections suggest it is growing again at a rate of 25 per cent.

In Asia, Africa and the Middle East, growth is even stronger at a rate of 35 per cent driven by demand in Asia and increasing commodity prices. In Indonesia exports are growing by 23 per cent, bringing us back roughly to 2008 levels.

So the big question is: what will happen beyond 2011? In the post-crisis environment, the new market opportunities are in the emerging economies, especially Asia. Even during the 2009 crisis, developing economies grew by 6.6 per cent and, led by China and India, are expected to grow by 8-10 per cent in the next two years.

However, it is important not to forget other Asian countries, especially those in South-East Asia. Indonesia, the largest country in the region, had growth rates of 4.5 per cent in 2009 and its growth is expected to reach 6 per cent over the next two years.

We’ll discuss how Midlands companies can harness these opportunities and establish whether the government is doing enough to help those businesses looking to do business further afield.

With input from an invited audience of business owners, company directors, and professionals this is sure to be a lively debate.

Our events are regularly over-subscribed therefore please register your interest as soon as possible. If you have been successful you will receive a confirmation email one week prior to the event. Please click here to register your interest.

If you need any more information, please contact Lianne Sunderland on 0161 907 9741.

If you are interested in sponsoring this or any other Insider event please contact Richard Carey on 0121 204 1490.

Timings for this event are as follows:

7.30am - Breakfast and registration

8.00am – Meeting commences

9.00am – Approximate close