CHAMBER URGES UK AND CARIBBEAN BUSINESSES TO BE ALIVE TO MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

The British-Caribbean Chamber of Commerce based in Yorkshire and linked to the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce today urged UK businesses to seize some excellent business opportunities in key niche markets in the Caribbean.

The message comes after Ian Kelly the Chamber's CEO updated Patricia Hewitt on their work at the British Chamber's of Commerce national conference this week. The Chamber has been winning new members and helping UK and Caribbean companies in both market following a launch in Trinidad last November by fellow DTI Minister for the Regions, Alan Johnson , MP for Hull West & Hessle.

British Caribbean Chamber CEO, Dr Ian Kelly, with Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry at the BCC national conference in London this week.

Dr Kelly said "The Secretary of State seemed pleased that the Caribbean launch Alan Johnson fronted in November went so well." The British Caribbean Chamber has been launched in the UK, Trinidad and Barbados to exploit some excellent niche market opportunities which many UK and Caribbean companies are now well placed to benefit from.

Dr Kelly went on to say "The Chamber is taking a European Funded Trade Mission to Guyana in the summer which is looking at the agri-food sector in particular. Given the innate strength of the UK in the agri-business sector, despite recent hard times, many excellent business linkages have already been made."

He indicated, "We are also now exploring further linkages in Trinidad with the oil and gas sector, a sector of activity recently highlighted by many UK Regional Development Agencies."

Dr Kelly noted that several very good UK based Engineering, Design, Architectural and Consultancy firms where already operating in the Trinidad market given the activities of BP and British Gas as the two largest companies on the island. Indeed, the Chamber's own office in Trinidad is co-located with the Trinidad Chamber of Commerce and also includes a seconded post graduate student from the former Humber and Lincolnshire University, with Trinidadian family ties.

With many excellent UK and Trinidadian home grown firms now pinching more and more business from under the noses of American competitors, the Chamber urged any UK and Caribbean businesses interested in the trade mission or the various Caribbean markets generally to contact Pauline Wade on 01482 324976 or at info@britishcaribbean.com

Editors notes

The British Caribbean Chamber has received support for its work from HM the Queen as Patron of the British Chamber network, DTI Minister's who launched the Chamber in Trinidad and Tobago in November, CARICOM representing the various island government of the Caribbean as well as several key business patrons such as the Hilton Hotel Group plc, Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago and BWIA (British West Indian Airways).

The Chamber works closely with British High Commissions in the Caribbean and the Caribbean Desk of Trade Partners UK as well as island government High Commissions and Embassies in the UK.

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