The president of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the backing of Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green for its “Exporting is Good for Suffolk” themed campaign for 2013.

Lord Green, who as Stephen Green was previously chairman of banking group HSBC, was guest speaker at a networkinig lunch following Suffolk Chamber’s annual general meeting, held at Ufford Park, near Woodbridge.

During his talk, to an audience of more than 100 business leaders from around the country, Lord Green encouraged firms to make the most of burgeoning markets worldwide including Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

“The world wants to do business with Britain,” he said. “Boosted by last year’s Olympics, ‘Brand Britain’ is in demand and there is an international demand for the high quality goods and services we provide.

“Government spending cannot drive growth and neither can consumers, therefore we need to look to businesses to support our economy. Businesses in Suffolk provide 9% of British exports, but there is still much more we can do.

“With support from UK Trade and Investment and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce we can encourage even more businesses in Suffolk to successfully export and help not only their business to grow, but also the wider economy.”

Prior to the lunch event, Lord Green met with local exporting businesses to discuss the issues currently facing exporters and ways that new businesses can be supported and encouraged to export.

He outlined his and Government’s plans to build capacity within 21 chambers of commerce in overseas markets, dovetailing these overseas chambers with the British Chambers accredited network with the aim of building market opportunity for UK businesses.

In the eastern region, Suffolk Chamber has been asked by the British Chambers of Commerce to lead and it is now part of a small national working group which is shaping the initiative with Lord Green’s supervision.

Suffolk Chamber president Peter Funnell said: “It is an important time for the Suffolk economy.

“Businesses are working harder than ever and its vital to future success that the entrepreneurial spirit in the county is encouraged and opportunities to export across Europe and the world are maximised.

“Lord Green is right that building capacity within the Chamber network can play a major part in accessing new market opportunities,” Dr Funnell added:

“We are very much encouraged that Suffolk Chamber and its members will be representing the eastern region as part of the Ministers’ initiative. We’ll be making sure that exporters have their voice heard, that good practice is shared and that obstacles to future success is addressed.”

Suffolk Chamber already runs a free Suffolk International Trade Group that meets quarterly to discuss exporting issues, and from September will also be running free round-table meetings with UKTI and Lloyds Bank to offer further support.

For information on the Suffolk International Trade Group, call Rowena Hughes on 01473 694805, email rowena@suffolkchamber.co.uk or visit www.suffolkchamber.co.uk/sitg .