Member Article

UKTI and Yorkshire & Humber firms Baltic trip

Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green has embarked on a visit to Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Finland today along with a trade delegation from Yorkshire and Humber.

The party will focus on developing trading links with the countries, and in attracting new investment.

A meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis will take place as part of the visit, as will meetings with Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius; Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip; Economic Ministers in all countries; Finnish telecoms giant Nokia and two Chamber of Commerce events with UK businesses to promote opportunities for British business in the region.

UKTI is taking firms from Yorkshire and Humber to Riga and Vilnius, for a programme of meetings and events.

Those firms taking part include Thomson Research Associates, a major producer and supplier of antimicrobial products to a global customer base; Transwaste Recycling and Aggregates Ltd, a waste management company; Worn By, a fashion brand specialising in t-shirts and East Riding Farm Services Ltd and Garth Partnership, companies working in animal health, in the pig farming industry.

Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green said: “Many UK firms, particularly SMEs, already have good business links with the Baltic States and Finland, however there is clearly potential to develop and strengthen our economic relationship, which is why I am pleased to be visiting this week.

“I will be meeting business representatives from all sectors and Ministers in all four countries to showcase Britain’s business excellence.

“In 2012 the eyes of the whole world are on the UK and we are working hard to make sure this year delivers the best possible economic impact for companies across the country.

“This trade mission and the many others like it are helping us do just that. They are also an important part of our ambition to get another 100,000 UK firms exporting by 2020.”

In Lithuania, Lord Green and Andrius Kubilius will visit the Barclays Technology Centre, one of four IT engineering centres providing support for Barclays business activity worldwide.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .