Business leaders in Stoke-on-Trent gathered to discuss ways to capitalise on overseas trade with Lord Green.
The roundtable event titled New Markets and New Horizons, brought together more than 180 guests at the King’s Hall
in Stoke, on Wednesday, October 3. It was hosted by Stoke-on-Trent City Council with North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce
and Industry and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).
Keynote speaker trade minister Stephen Green said businesses must look further afield in the future.
He said: “It is a great pleasure to be in Stoke-on-Trent, this is a city which is reinventing itself.
“British businesses are going to China, India, Brazil, Asia and the Middle East looking for new markets. We know the
old model no longer works and in the current climate export trade and investment are going to have to play a key role.
“In this country we are behind the European average of business going to export markets. If we could get up to that
average it would make a huge difference.
“That isn’t going to happen without us doing something differently. Export can be a daunting prospect but it is
the job of government, UKTI, local business support organisations like the chambers, LEPs and banks to support companies to
move into the export market.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Councillor Mohammed Pervez said: “The city of Stoke-on-Trent embarked on its Mandate
for Change in 2011, it is about one vision to make Stoke-on-Trent a great working city.
“This event was about developing existing businesses to help them grow and create even more employment.
“I’m delighted Lord Green visited Stoke-on-Trent and recognised the significance of our Mandate for Change which
is part of our one-city approach. We are letting the world know we are open for business.”
Local businessman, James Roberts from ExtraMile Communication Ltd in Eccleshall, said: “We have experience of the overseas
market and we are looking to help others expand there by offering them with multi-lingual marketing.
“We translate to 26 different languages and in the process of assisting others to expand their business, our company
grows as well. We are currently looking to move to new premises because our company is growing so rapidly.”
-Ends-
Notes:
The vision to make Stoke-on-Trent a great working city is based on four strategic aims known as the Mandate for Change
‘pillars’. It was launched in 2011 and is supported by more than 200 businesses across the city, setting out a
‘red carpet’ approach to attracting and developing businesses.
The four pillars are -
• Make Stoke-on-Trent the place to bring business.
• Support and develop existing business.
• Work with people to promote independence and healthy lives.
• Make Stoke-on-Trent a great city to live in.
For all media enquiries contact Ciara Hill in the Communications Department at Stoke-on-Trent City Council on 01782
232130.