Keeping Britain trading post-Brexit: FTA conference to provide vital forum for industry debate

Thursday 02 February 2017

According to research by respected think tank Centre for Cities, released 30 January 2017, Britain’s cities will need to protect and promote trading links with the world following the nation’s exit from the EU, in order to compensate for lost business across Europe.  As nearly half of all exports from British cities (46%) are currently sent to EU markets, data from the report shows that any estimated trade with non-EU markets will have to rise substantially to fill the gap left by any reduction in trade with Europe.  Currently, exports to the EU are three times higher than those to the US.  But how many of these new trading relationships are already in place, and how many businesses are prepared to respond to new procedures and opportunities in order to maintain business continuity?

A unique event for those involved in all aspects of the co-ordination of import and export business, the Keep Britain Trading Conference will be co-ordinated by the Freight Transport Association, the UK’s largest membership association for all sectors of the UK’s freight industry and is sponsored by Multimodal.  The one-day event, to be held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre on 15 March 2017, will provide delegates with a unique forum in which to debate and discuss the implications of leaving the EU for the freight sector, and enable attendees to help shape FTA’s influence of the UK government, European institutions and global agencies in establishing international trade links for its members around the world.

“With such a significant membership reach across the freight sector, FTA is the ideal co-ordinator to help British business navigate a smooth path to success post-Brexit,” says James Hookham, the Association’s Deputy Chief Executive.  “Following publication of the government’s White Paper, so much is still open to debate, and it will be imperative for businesses to keep up to date on Brexit developments, and understand how to establish the best possible trade deals.  This exclusive conference will provide the perfect forum for business to comprehend the implications of the UK’s departure from the EU, as it relates to freight and logistics, and establish new ways of working to ensure future success.”

Speakers already confirmed for the event include representatives of the Commonwealth Secretariat, shippers’ councils from nations including Australia, Canada and Sri Lanka, and experts from many of the UK’s leading businesses which already handle trade from outside the EU.  It is anticipated that a representative of HM government will be on hand to deliver the event’s keynote speech, while the UK Trade Policy Observatory will deliver an impartial and up to the minute view of the trading options open to attendees.

“It is imperative that businesses keep as close to the issues involved as possible, particularly as the situation is constantly changing,” continues Hookham.  “The Keep Britain Trading Conference will provide delegates with a clear oversight of the very latest thinking and help to establish new pathways to facilitate ongoing and new business opportunities.  It will also provide an excellent opportunity to network with industry leaders and peers, and help to craft the industry’s response to government on the key issues affecting the freight sector.  With Article 50 due to be triggered in March, the event will help attendees get ahead of the competition when it comes to establishing business links with the new world order.”

Keep Britain Trading is a one-day conference to be held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London SW1 on 15 March 2017, priced at £295 + VAT for FTA members and £395 + VAT for non-members.  To find out more, and book a place, please visit:  http://www.fta.co.uk/events/Keep-Britain-Trading.html
 
 
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