Swansea Bay Business Club hosted ten new UK Ambassadors to Swansea last week, as they prepare to take on leadership roles in embassies around the world.
The new Ambassadors met with Welsh business leaders and entrepreneurs to learn more about the priorities of Welsh businesses operating overseas, and to discuss how the UK Government can further support and promote UK businesses across the globe, as well as attract future investment to Wales.
Hayley Davies, President of Swansea Bay Business Club, said: “There are a wealth of businesses across the Swansea Bay region offering fantastic products and services, who are keen to trade internationally. As a business club, we are delighted to be able to act as a conduit for members to meet with the ambassadors and discuss potential future opportunities abroad. This is also a great resource for our members in the future, as we can provide international points of contacts for Welsh Government to support international trade for South Wales businesses. We are passionate about supporting our members in growing their businesses and as part of club membership we strive to provide opportunity such as this, to support growth and prosperity wherever possible.”
Jane Wallace Jones from Welsh giftware business, Something Different, attended the meeting, which was kindly hosted at the Swansea offices of JCP Solicitors. She said: “As a wholesale company, we benefit enormously from international trade. We’ve recently taken on five agents to distribute on our behalf in France as well as actively trading in Holland, Australia and New Zealand. Each country we work with has vastly different ways of buying and selling, there are also a number of regulations that we need to be aware of when trading globally.
“It’s great to hear that the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales will provide us with direct contact for representatives within the countries to facilitate both import and export opportunities, this could potentially be a big benefit for us as a business.”
Kate Harrisson, due to be UK Ambassador to Lima, said:“British Embassies overseas represent the whole of the UK. This week’s visit was a great opportunity to speak face to face with a diverse range of stakeholders in Wales. I look forward to helping more Welsh businesses take advantage of the growing opportunities in emerging economies like Peru.”
The Ambassadors will take up their posts early next year in countries ranging from Algeria to New Zealand, where they will play a vital role in encouraging tourism and trade opportunities, helping increase exports and growth, and providing support to UK nationals abroad.