Hampshire Chamber of Commerce sees increased income from international trade services
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce's recent AGM heard how the organisation had seen a 10% increase in its latest financial year in income from international trade services as members seek global export opportunities.
At the meeting held near Winchester, Hampshire, the Chamber said it had issued nearly 7,000 trade-related documents, mostly for export certification and customs clearance.
Also, issues surrounding accessing overseas markets had become an increasingly central component of its training and webinar activity, it revealed.
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Ross McNally, chief executive and executive chair, also highlighted the Chamber’s specialist groups focused on planning and transport, professional services, creative industries and green innovation.
"We are local through our various strategy and specialist groups, regional through our contacts with stakeholder partners such as Solent Freeport and Southampton Airport, national through our accreditation to British Chambers of Commerce and global through being part of the International Chamber of Commerce network," he said.
"A further key focus in the past year has been to strengthen our engagement with the third sector, enabling businesses and charities to connect, work together and develop partnerships for mutual benefit," he added.
Attendees also heard that the Solent Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), approved in August this year and which the Chamber is central to delivering, had engaged more than 300 employers through workshops, surveys and a stakeholder summit.
McNally cited various examples of member engagement and events involving its business strategy groups serving Southampton, Rushmoor & Hart, Portsmouth and District, Basingstoke and District, Andover and Winchester.
"For firms in Hampshire, the Chamber is the only truly scalable business network on offer, a place with the power to help you start, grow, aspire and lead.
"In the past year we have once again supported our members by ensuring their voice has been heard during the great economic challenges we face, from post-pandemic recovery through constrained supply chains, energy price inflation and skills shortages.
"This all strengthens our strategic vision to unlock Hampshire’s potential," he added.
The meeting also confirmed the re-appointment of Peter Taylor as Chamber president.
It concluded with an interactive presentation from guest speaker Bruce M. McKinnon, founder of agency The Brand Arrow, on how to build a brand marketing strategy that effectively demonstrates the 'point' of a business.
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