Chambers of Commerce Should Play a Wider Role in the Drive to increase UK Exports claim Business West

Labour commissioned an independent review into how government can better support British businesses to export internationally.

Led by Graham Cole, Chairman of AgustaWestland UK, the review focuses on how to tackle the UK’s 30 year trade deficit and how to boost trade.

Responding to the publication of the interim report of the independent Cole Commission on exports, James Durie, Executive Director of Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative at Business West, said:

"As one of the leading chambers in the country with national expertise in helping companies export and trade all over the world, we were pleased to be able to contribute to? this report and welcome its initial findings, in particular its strong support for Chambers of Commerce to play a wider role in the drive to increase UK exports. Only a genuine, long-term and equal partnership between business and government can deliver a step change in the UK's trade performance, which patently needs to improve. Chambers of Commerce in the UK and right across the world provide the platform to do this. 

“Here in this region we see the benefits of all key stakeholders, including LEPs, growth hubs and other business and government organisations, working closely in support of businesses.  It is something we already do on a daily basis, bringing together many resources and expertise around the Chamber platform. Our successful #GetExporting campaign is capturing the imagination of existing and potential exporters, providing support to grow their overseas sales and encourage more companies to consider taking their business to the world.

 “The Cole Commission is right to say that we must put international trade at the very heart of Britain's economic plan, and at the very heart of government. Its independent recommendations present an opportunity to kick start a revolution in how we approach international trade in the UK and grow our economy now and for the long term. This must be right at the top of the agenda for whomever forms the next government."