The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) has announced the launch of a new flagship trade show.
The Import Export Show is a new addition to the international trade calendar and brings together leading thinkers and practitioners from the word of global trade.
Taking place in London on 15 November 2023, the inaugural event has as its theme “Local to global: From a trade-led recovery to a more resilient Britain”.
The programme includes a keynote speech from Kemi Badenoch, secretary of state for business and trade, as well as a speech from her Labour counterpart, shadow secretary of state for international trade, Nick Thomas-Symonds.
The programme also features a series of panel discussions bringing together policymakers, academics, business leaders and practitioners as well as experts from across IOE&IT.
Global Britain
The new event comes at a time when the UK continues to reframe its place in the global economy post-Brexit, drawing on the benefits of new free trade agreements (FTAs). This will be a theme running throughout the day’s programme.
As well as being addressed by the keynote speakers, there will be a panel discussion on “The UK’s Place in a Changing World”.
Taking part is an impressive line-up of experts, including David Henig, director of the UK Trade Policy Project and co-founder of the UK Trade Forum; Sam Lowe, partner at Flint Global; Professor Clair Gammage, head of the Law School at Exeter University; and David Beer, director of TradeMarks East Africa.
Business and government
Successful trade policy requires government and business to work hand in hand. And for the UK, it also demands the involvement of all the nations and regions. The levelling-up agenda has shown that it is no longer enough to develop policy for London and the South-East and hope wealth created there will trickle out to the rest of the country.
The programme for the Import Export Show includes a panel discussing the role of business and government in the UK’s trade and economic recovery, chaired by visiting professor in practice at LSE and IOE&IT trustee director, John Alty.
The panel for this is being finalised but will include Andrew Mitchell CMG, director general, exports and UK trade at the Department for Business and Trade.
There will also be a discussion on regional trade leadership, looking at the role of freeports and green freeports, featuring among others Ben Houchen, the metro mayor of Teesside.
Hear from business leaders
Marco Forgione, director general of IOE&IT is excited about this new gathering of the trade community and sees it as an opportunity to also hear from entrepreneurs and business leaders, with brands such as FeverTree and Captain Fawcett among those taking part.
“We’re delighted to launch the inaugural Import Export Show and pleased to have the support of secretary of state as well as a wide range of leading businesses and entrepreneurs. It’s going to be a great day of conversations, discussions and workshops. And there’ll be great potential for networking with a range of businesses.”
Forgione added that the event will also see the announcement of the winners of the inaugural set of International Trade Awards:
“We think it's important we celebrate and recognise the incredible achievements of UK businesses trading internationally.
We want to inspire future generations of entrepreneurs and business leaders to understand there is huge opportunity for UK businesses and UK brands in overseas markets, particularly with the range of new FTAs the government is signing and the strong demand for British products internationally.”
For more information about the event or to book your ticket, visit the Import Export Show website.
