Bristol businesses looking to expand into high-growth global markets will receive enhanced advice and support following the signing of four new international partnership agreements by Business West.
The organisation, which runs Bristol Chamber of Commerce and the Bristol Initiative, is the largest international trade support body in the South West. The four new agreements are with business bodies across China, India, Latin America and South East Asia. 
Business West will now engage in a spectrum of activity to help boost firms’ export sales in these important markets, including market entry strategy and planning and the facilitation of in-country specialist support – delivered free of charge to eligible businesses.
Trade links with countries outside the traditional export markets of Europe are going to become more important when Brexit takes effect. Some observors also fear that President Trump’s protectionist stance could also hit trade with the US – another key market for West of England exporters.
Business West head of innovation in services John Rubidge said: “The South West region is home to a large number of companies in the food and drink and tech industries, for example, whose products and services are strongly in demand in high-growth nations across Asia and Latin America.
“Unfortunately, however, many of the companies who are well placed to take advantage of these opportunities lack the expertise or resources required to find overseas buyers, resulting in an uphill struggle to gain a foothold in these markets. That is where we come in.
“Extend your Global Reach, a new support programme, is designed to help exporters overcome this challenge by fostering relationships on the ground with key business contacts overseas.”
The variety of opportunities open to South West firms in these high-growth markets is hugely diverse.
Business West market specialist for Latin America added: “I recently returned from a visit to Colombia and the country’s congress has just signed a new peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), putting a welcome end to the conflict that traumatised the country for so long.
“As a result, the Colombian market is becoming increasingly open to new goods, technologies and services from abroad. The newly formed Ministry of Post Conflict is embarking upon a number of ambitious projects to help the economy recover and to ensure that the benefits of peace are felt by all communities.
“There is massive scope for South West companies specialising in education, healthcare, oil and gas and renewable energy development, for example, to export to Columbia, a country that is now very much open for business.”
And Jonathan Smith, market specialist for China, added:“It is vital that anyone looking to export to China visits the country regularly in order to see for themselves what’s going on and to keep their contacts fresh.
“The expert insights, networks, policy, advocacy, services and facilities that the CBBC provide are therefore invaluable.”
The agreements have been signed with the China Britain Business Council (CBBC), the UK India Business Council (UKIBC), Latin American Economic Growth Management and the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI).
