Minister Kenneth Clarke launches the British Business Centre in Warsaw
Kenneth Clarke QC MP (Senior Cabinet Minister & Prime Minister’s Trade Representative, Minister without Portfolio) visits Warsaw on 16-17 July.
Minister Clarke discussed British-Polish political and commercial relations at meetings with Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister/Economy Minister Janusz Piechociński, Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.
The highlight of the visit was however the launch of the British Business Centre - a result of an ever closer co-operation between the British Embassy Warsaw and the British-Polish Chamber of Commerce (BPCC), and part of a global initiative to get Britain exporting. Arriving in a GREAT branded Mini, the Minister enthused about the opportunities this new hot-desking and soft landing zone would bring UK businesses entering the Polish market. Its aim is to provide a step-change in the support for UK businesses looking to export abroad for the first time, or seeking to expand into other markets. The activity of the centre will in a way complement the GREAT Campaign, one of whose current priority markets is Emerging Europe. Launched in the region in April 2013, the campaign has already seen significant attention focussed on the very best of British businesses’ innovation and quality.
Minister Clarke launches the British Business Centre
Commenting on the launch of the Centre, Robin Barnett, British Ambassador to Poland, said:
We are delighted to welcome the Minister today. This exciting new partnership between UK Trade & Investment and local chambers of commerce, such as the British Polish Chamber of Commerce, will increase the support available for British companies to succeed both in Poland and internationally. What’s crucial for us is bringing together the resources of the Embassy, UK Trade & Investment, the BPCC, private sector partners like HSBC and the Polish Government to ensure UK companies can access quickly all the support they need both online and at this innovative new centre. We want to transform the way we support British business and believe that the combination of the British Business Centre and innovative new digital platform is ground-breaking.
Minister Clarke promotes business opportunity in Emerging Europe
The Minister’s visit concluded with his participation in a seminar on the EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership held in the British Embassy. This biggest ever trade deal will hopefully deepen economic integration between the world’s two largest economies. The panellists pondered on the many complexities of this deal, including regulatory coherence and political implications.