West firms are being invited to explore doing business in Germany as a way of breaking into a lucrative export market without the risks often attached to selling into high-growth and emerging economies.
The Government’s UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) organisation is staging a special event near Bristol next Tuesday to highlight the opportunities in Germany – Europe’s largest and the world’s third-strongest economy. 
UKTI says there are huge potential for the region’s businesses in both the product and service industries, and access to the German market has never been easier for West businesses with the availability of daily flights from Bristol to Berlin, Frankfurt and Hamburg.
At the event, director of trade and investment in Germany, Dan Rutstein, will provide an insight into the business culture, etiquette and challenges of trading in Germany. Delegates will also find out how participating in German trade fairs, such as CeBIT – which is targeted mainly at tech firms – and the Hanover Messe, can be vital to success in the market. Bristol in particular has excellent ties with Hanover as they have a long-standing twin town arrangement and existing trade links.
UKTI regional director Russell Jones said: “This event will provide the perfect opportunity to highlight the importance of exploiting the export opportunities on our doorstep.
“Not only will the seminar provide a valuable starting point for companies which are new to this potential export market, but it will also benefit those businesses which have an existing foothold that they wish to develop further.”
West firms were last week urged by UKTI to renew efforts to do business overseas and take advantage of high-level export support available following disappointing trade figures.
The event takes places on January 21 at Leigh Court, Abbots Leigh, near Bristol, between 1.30pm and 4pm.
For further information or to book a place visit http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/doing-business-in-germany-seminar-registration-9786731377 or email events@uktisouthwest.org.
