Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and British Chamber of Commerce in Germany are aiming to boost inter-city business by establishing a new formal partnership.
Following a successful inward trade visit from a German delegation, the new chamber partnership will generate enhanced collaboration between the two organisations through the British Chambers’ network.
Germany is the UK’s second largest export market with the two nations long enjoying a healthy business relationship and the new partnership is the first of its kind between both organisations.
Germany has been identified in the Scottish Government’s strategic international strategy, ‘Scotland: A Trading Nation’, as the second most important country to increase exports to. As such, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce hosted an inward Trade Mission in November with delegates from the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany.
The visit was held under the Scottish Government’s International Trade Partnership initiative with the Scottish Chamber of Commerce. Delegates were introduced to Glasgow City Innovation District, Invest Glasgow and local business case studies working with hydrogen and renewable energy sources. This included visits to University of Strathclyde Technology and Innovation Centre and ScottishPower’s Whitelee Windfarm.
As Scotland and Germany seek to strengthen trade between the two countries, this new partnership looks to strengthen relationships and establish new partnerships to set both imports and exports on an upward trajectory.
Dr Paul Little, Past President of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “Despite challenges, Glasgow continues to flourish, being increasingly regarded as not only the global climate capital after COP26 but also more recently as the innovation and skills capital. Glasgow Chamber of Commerce has long been a pivotal economic catalyst, collaborating regionally, nationally and internationally for the benefit of its members and for the wider metropolitan economy. Deepening this excellent partnership with British Chamber of Commerce in Germany is therefore an important next step to enable global trade and increase mutual learning.”
Michael Schmidt, President of British Chamber of Commerce in Germany, said: “In challenging times like this it’s all about talking together, staying together and collaborating. Our intensified partnership between the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany will strengthen the economic ties and trading links between Germany and the UK. Together we will go ahead, identifying key sectors for innovation and investment, organising to meet clients and customers and targeting new markets and secure investments.”
Based on the success of the inward trade mission last year, Glasgow Chamber is leading a delegation of Scottish businesses, working in the renewable energy and hydrogen sectors, to Germany for another collaborative Trade Mission in March.
Applications for the Trade Mission to Lower Saxony and Bremen, Germany on 6-9 March 2023 close on Friday 20 January 2023. For more information and how to apply please visit: https://www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com/international/trade-missions/trade-mission-to-lower-saxony-and-bremen-germany/