Chamber launches expanded global trade offering

A new drive to create international trade opportunities for Greater Birmingham businesses has been launched by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce today.

The new Greater Birmingham Global Chamber of Commerce (GBGCC) is designed to create opportunities for Chamber members in a wide range of international markets.

The Global Chamber replaces the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce (GBCCC), which was set up in 2018 to create bilateral trade links with Commonwealth countries before, during and immediately after the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

An announcement about the Commonwealth Chamber 's evolution into the Global Chamber was first made at the Global Trade Conference in February.

The GBCC will continue to operate the Greater Birmingham Transatlantic Chamber of Commerce - part of the British American Business Network - as a separate division.

Mandy Haque, the GBCC 's international director, said it was the right time to expand the Chamber 's reach to more international markets.

She said: “After our announcement at the global trade conference in February of the enhancement of the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce to embrace more global markets, today sees the evolution to the Greater Birmingham Global Chamber of Commerce take effect.

“I am delighted that it has already received such positive feedback and interest and we look forward to working with the existing members of the Commonwealth division as well as new members that are attracted due to the further global reach. ”

Mark Smith (pictured), executive director of business engagement at Aston University and previously president of the Commonwealth Chamber, will be the Global Chamber 's first president.

The Global Chamber also has its first patron in automotive components manufacturer Ginho, whose European managing director Shaun Gray is president of Burton & District Chamber of Commerce.

Mark Smith said: “The development of the Global Chamber chapter marks a new era - and one that brings great opportunities in this post-Brexit period.

“We know that whilst many companies looked again at their supply chains in a post pandemic world, with the global movement of goods seeing some rebalancing, the flow of services and talent remains a world-wide priority.

“In this landscape, firms in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands are presented with many opportunities to consolidate and grow their international footprints, making and exporting quality commodities to the world and adding value to other goods and services before they reach their eventual markets overseas or domestically.

“Greater Birmingham Global Chamber of Commerce is designed to help firms succeed in both there areas, with practical assistance, introductions and support, and I 'm delighted that it formally launches today and to be the inaugural president. “

Businesses who were members of the Commonwealth Chamber will be automatically enrolled into the Global Chamber, while an events programme for the new division will be announced in due course.

Find out more information or contact gbgcc@birmingham-chamber.com to make an enquiry.