Green energy revolution to spark global trade opportunities - conference

Greater Birmingham firms who are capitalising on the shift towards green and renewable energy will find a host of “willing partners ” in Canada and Australia, Chamber members were told at major international trade conference, writes Dan Harrison.

Ahead of the 2023 Global Trade Conference at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce members took part in a series of exclusive roundtable discussions with representatives from six overseas markets.

Australia, Canada, France, Mauritius, Mexico and Ukraine were all represented in the roundtable talks.

High on the agenda was the businesses opportunities around green energy and decarbonisation.

Jason Walsh, counsellor and trade commissioner for the economic division at the High Commission of Canada in the UK, said Canadian firms have adopted similar attitudes to their UK counterparts when it comes to the energy sector.

He said: “Canada is very focused on the transition into green energy - much like the UK.

“There is a big focus on decarbonising its industries. You 'll find a lot of the same attitude from Canadian trading partners as in the UK.

“You 'll also find a lot of willing partners. ”

Warren Bartlett, deputy commissioner for investment - Europe at Queensland Trade and Investment, said green energy is currently Australia 's biggest business opportunity.

He said: “The transition to green energy is the single biggest opportunity in Australia at the moment.

“There are a lot of opportunities in solar and offshore wind. The production of green hydrogen is also huge.

“Despite the Federal Government previously being perceived to be not interested in climate change, the individually states have. ”

Invitations to the roundtable discussions were available only to members of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and its Transatlantic and Commonwealth divisions.

Participating member companies included PR and marketing agency Liquid, manufacturing firms Ginho Europe, Flexeserve, Fracino and Birmingham Case Makers, education and training provider Common Purpose and Latin American business consultancy Eurolatin Strategy Consulting.

Pictured: Queensland Trade & Investment 's Warren Bartlett in discussion with Chamber members