Trade Mission unites US and UK to discuss post-Brexit business opportunities

Trade Mission unites US and UK to discuss post-Brexit business opportunities

Dignitaries and business leaders from across the Atlantic have met with their Yorkshire counterparts today (21 September 2016), where they will discuss post-Brexit business opportunities as part of Commerce Rhode Island’s first US trade mission to the UK since June’s controversial  vote to leave the EU.

Yorkshire business and civic leaders including Leeds City Council CEO Tom Riordan, welcomed State Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor along with other members of the delegation from Providence, Rhode Island, at a summit Lunch in Leeds, hosted by global advisory firm RSM.

The trade mission’s focus was to build links between the New England state of Rhode Island and the UK city of Leeds, both areas with strong commercial opportunities and a rich industrial heritage.

Fifteen delegates were invited to join this week’s event in Leeds as an addition to their London visit, in an attempt to explore possibilities for nurturing business tourism and education links between the regions, as well as to attend trade meetings with potential suppliers and customers.

\”There is a wealth of shared trading and investment opportunities in the US market for Yorkshire firms and we hope that by bringing businesses from the two regions together to discuss the mutual possibilities is just the first stage in a strong, collaborative relationship.\” said Kevin O’Connor, RSM’s regional managing partner for Yorkshire and the North East.

“As a global network, we assist our clients in successfully expanding their business reach both internationally and in the UK, drawing on local knowledge and expertise. This visit was a great opportunity to forge stronger links between the Leeds and the US, but in addition, we were also able to showcase what the region as a whole has to offer.” he added.

“Initially built on the back of the industrial revolution, both Rhode Island and Yorkshire are working to reinvent themselves for the twenty-first century,” said State Secretary of Commerce, Stefan Pryor, during the summit.

“Our visit to Leeds has presented both regions with a chance to secure important links to future-defining sectors and industries within the global economy.  We hope to find common success in economic progress for both communities and are thankful to everyone who has helped to facilitate the opportunity to seek out mutual post-Brexit business opportunities.” he added.

US experts in retail logistics, manufacturers, representatives of the State’s trade teams and leading US university Bryant, took part in a series of meetings with both trade advisers from DIT (formerly know as UKTI) and various local firms.

Initiated by transatlantic marketing firm Great British Marketing, the trade mission obtained support from hosts RSM, former government department UKTI (now DIT) and Santander.

Great British Marketing initiated the event in the hope of creating long term business links between the cities, exporters and advisers across the Atlantic.

“Home to some fantastic universities, tourist destinations and businesses, Rhode Island, Providence and Yorkshire are not dissimilar and therefore working together in promoting international trade makes perfect sense,” said Paul Snape of Great British Marketing.

“In order to thrive in these new and interesting post-Brexit times and take advantage of being at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse, Leeds needs to start thinking globally.

“Its position as a primary UK hub for finance, law, education and manufacturing gives the city enormous potential. By taking the initiative to seek out new commercial relationships, we can demonstrate our world class trade potential with business people all over the world.” he added.

More information about the delegation and contact information for the US organisers of Commerce RI, can be found here.

 

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