Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce

BUSINESSES in the Humber region are backing the area to cement its position as a key link between the UK and the Caribbean after confirmation of a new partnership.

They also welcomed the commitment of counterparts in Saint Lucia, who say the establishment of a second British Caribbean Chamber of Commerce chapter will provide their businesses with a new gateway to European markets.

Leading figures from the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce returned this week from the launch of the new organisation in Saint Lucia. Hull and Humber Chamber is accountable for both British Caribbean Chamber chapters, the first of which was set up in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 2001.

Pauline Wade, Director of International Trade at Hull and Humber, said: “We started taking trade missions to the Caribbean in 1998. We opened a second chapter in response to a request from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and because of interest among businesses in the Caribbean.

“The move will bring two-way benefits, paving the way for British businesses to sell into a market which is often overlooked but which has many advantages, and providing opportunities for companies in the Caribbean to trade with the UK and the rest of Europe.

“The new chapter’s advisory committee met for the first time shortly before we returned to Hull, and we are now working with the management team in Saint Lucia to deliver on the potential of the partnership.”

Businesses in Yorkshire and Humber which have seized opportunities with the help of the British Caribbean Chamber include Ramsden International, a Grimsby-based supplier of groceries to retailers, wholesalers, food service companies and non-governmental organisations.

The Caribbean connection also opened up new markets for Selby-based GF Foods (York) Ltd, which is now expanding its overseas dealings to South Africa, Dubai and Ireland.

Good Travel Management Ltd and AA Global Language Services Ltd, both official international trade partners of Hull and Humber Chamber, see the introduction of a second British Caribbean Chamber chapter as a significant step.

Kevin Harrison, Managing Director of Good Travel Management Ltd, said: “As a long term partner of the international trade centre at the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce we are delighted to see strengthening links with the Caribbean and the development of international trade between the Humber region and UK in general.

“This in turn generates business for the supply chains associated with this trade, particularly the food industries which are so vital in this area. We wish the new chapter future success and we look forward to supporting the British Caribbean Chamber of Commerce with trade missions and ongoing business travel support.”

Kirk Akdemir, CEO of AA Global Language Services Ltd, added: “Business people and government officials in the Caribbean have made it clear that the new chapter is in place to develop commercial partnerships in the UK and further afield.

“They see the link with the Chamber network as a platform to help their businesses operate throughout Europe. As the official language services partner of Hull and Humber Chamber, with nearly 5,000 interpreters and translators worldwide, we look forward to supporting their efforts.”

Prominent members of the new chapter include Ernst & Young, Hotel Chocolat and multinational engineering business Halcrow.

Philip S Buckley, Hotel Chocolat’s Executive Estates Director and Country Head in Saint Lucia, said: “Hotel Chocolat fully support the British Caribbean Chamber of Commerce chapter in St Lucia. This organisation should be seen as a ‘portal’ to another world of business and trade opportunities for Saint Lucian businesses."

Debbie Worrell, Political Officer at the British High Commission in Saint Lucia, added that the new chapter will support British companies throughout the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

She said: “The chapter will provide a voice for Saint Lucian buyers of British products on trade policy, particularly on customs duty and clearance times and will be an alternative contact for British companies seeking to do business in Saint Lucia and the OECS.”