Karlsruhe to become Nottingham stepping stone to German trade

NOTTINGHAM has targeted Karlsruhe as its launching pad to promote trade with Germany.

It follows a fact-finding mission to Nottingham's twin city last year.

Invest in Nottingham, which is run by the city council, and business members of the Invest in Nottingham Club, now plan a two-night trade mission to Karlsruhe next month, to drum up trade between Nottingham and Germany, with

The £99-plus Export Insight trip is aimed at encouraging local businesses to dip their toes into the water of German trade.

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The city council and the Invest in Nottingham Club want to develop new markets to help the Notts economy, while the prime minister David Cameron has made overseas trade a central plank of Government policy for economic recovery.

The trip, supported by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) takes place from March 12 to 14.

UKTI points out that British companies in their thousands recognise Germany as the key international marketplace on their doorstep.

The visit will give a unique opportunity to undertake language and culture training, as well as giving delegates a chance to meet like-minded German businesses.

The full programme includes a chance to meet the local chamber of commerce as well as the UKTI trade team based in Munich.

They will explain what export opportunities exist in the market and the support and services they can offer to UK businesses.

UK Trade and Investment is offering to pay for the return flight, accommodation, group transport and activities in Karlsruhe.

The mission is preceded by a morning seminar at the East Midlands Conference Centre on February 26, where potential exporters can explore how to make the most of international trade opportunities.

Experts will be on hand to advise on the export of new products, firms seeking to become proactive exporters rather than reactive, and the steps to take.

Emma Smith of the Invest in Nottingham team at Nottingham City Council said: "Those who join the trip will have a chance to speak to the consul from UKTI about the general business environment, the opportunities to trade and collaborate with German firms.

She said: "Firms will also meet the chamber of commerce in Karlsruhe. It is compulsory for a business in Germany to be a member of a chamber.

"The chamber membership is therefore vast. They will talk about the types of services they deliver, which are thriving and growing, and the opportunities they present."

Mrs Smith said there was a lot of crossover businesses in the Karlsruhe area, including energy/carbon and IT.

"The visit isn't exclusive to those sectors but we would like to introduce businesses to the Cyber Forum, a not-for-profit organisation in Karlsruhe, which has 900 members."