A one-day event in Bristol yesterday offered firms a unique opportunity to find out about exporting to Latin America.
More than 100 businesses from Bristol and across the South West attended the event at the M Shed hosted by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) – the government’s trade body.
Staged as part of the Exporting is GREAT initiative to encourage more UK businesses to trade overseas, it was aimed at new and existing UK exporters.
During the session, businesses were given an insight into the opportunities available in 13 countries across Latin America as well as advice on the best strategies to help break into the market.
Experts from each of the countries taking part were on hand to share knowledge and experience alongside representatives from UKTI South West.
As well as a series of panel discussions covering topics including cross-border trading and regulatory and tax issues, businesses had the opportunity for one-to-one meetings with advisers to discuss their own export strategies and find out more about the support on offer from UKTI.
The participating countries were Argentina and Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.
UKTI regional director Jason Carter said: “UK companies are currently under-represented across the Latin American region. Our market share is below comparable markets elsewhere in the world and yet we know that UK businesses have a great deal to offer the region.
“With the spotlight on Brazil in the year of the Rio Olympics, together with the political and economic changes in Argentina, Cuba and Venezuela, and expanding opportunities in Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru, amongst others, this is the perfect opportunity to support South West companies who are interested in exploring the Latin America market.”
The event was one of a series of roadshows across the UK, as part of a wider strategy to deepen UK business participation in Latin America.
