THE Suffolk International Trade Group (SITG) continued to raise its profile as an authoritative voice on exporting when more than 50 local exporters attended a key event in Ipswich

The event, at the Novotel, saw Patrick Crawford, chief executive of UK Export Finance, who answers to Government Minister Lord Green, met with businesses from across the county.

From 2002 to 2004 Patrick was managing director of Emerging Africa Advisers, a division of Standard Bank London, acting as the principal adviser to the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund.

This fund was established by the UK’s Department for International Development and three European governments in 2002 in association with three official development finance institutions and Barclays Bank and Standard Bank of South Africa to provide long-term debt finance to private sector infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa.

“We were delighted that Patrick, who has a wealth of experience of knowledge, came to Suffolk,” said John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber.

“We are rightly proud of the role exporters play in the county’s economy and it is events and speakers such as Patrick that give business a real insight into national and international thinking.”

Following his speech to the SITG, Patrick went on to a private Suffolk Chamber business leaders dinner with a dozen key exporters in the county.

These included BSP a pile driving hammer manufacturer that is one of only seven in the world and who exports 97% of their goods and Aspalls, a traditional family run Suffolk business which is growing its sales in overseas markets.