Commonwealth experts to take part in trade-focused week

Birmingham will play virtual host to swathes of international business leaders and trade specialists during a Commonwealth focused trading campaign taking place next week.

Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce (GBCCC) is gearing up to host its first Commonwealth Opportunities week, starting from Monday, 22 February.

The week will feature three virtual events, culminating in an all-day conference on 25 February.

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce will be taking part in the week's first event, discussing the upcoming Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Chief executive of the Chamber, Stuart Patrick, will be discussing how the 2014 Commonwealth Games benefited the city, and how Greater Birmingham firms can maximise trading opportunities during the Games.

He will joined alongside Ian Reid, chief executive of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games organising committee, during the event on 22 February.

The second event of the week will take a closer look at Birmingham's music scene, and how the city's links to the Commonwealth through the music industry can be capitalised on.

Aston University are sponsors of the event, which will include academic and industry leading speakers including executive director of business and regional engagement at Aston, Mark Smith was joined by Aston academic, Dr Patrycja Rozbicka, chief executive of Punch Records, Ammo Talwar (pictured), founder of Ifa-Yoruba Arts Trust, Lekan Babolola and director of Aston 's centre for research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship.

The third virtual event will focus on Singapore and South Africa's trade links with Greater Birmingham, and will include talks from Leon Ayo, South Africa trading expert and consultant and Nicole Wharfe, business services director at the British Chamber of Commerce's Singapore office.

The themed week ends with a Commonwealth virtual conference on 25 February, whereby representatives from a myriad of Commonwealth countries will discuss trading opportunities.

Andrew Bacchus, head of the Department of International Trade 's Sports Economy Team, will also discuss how companies can export to sports events and projects taking place around the world, such as the Lions Tour and the FIFA World Cup.

Western Union are sponsoring the 'Wonder of Networking ' session as part of the all-day conference.

All events are free to attend.

To register your place at the conference, or any of the other events, click here