26th - 29th March 2012

Did you know that there are businesses in the Czech Republic who are ready and
waiting to do business with you?
Are you a provider of corporate education or skills training, based in the East Midlands and
interested in expanding into exciting new markets?
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in the East Midlands will be leading a UK delegation to the Czech
Republic to meet with potential clients and partners, hosted by the British Embassy in Prague.

Why join us?

There's simply no substitute for a personal visit. If you are serious about doing business in
this region you have to go there and meet the people, build contacts and experience the market.
Here are some of the benefits to be gained from joining this market visit:
Register your interest
To register your interest in this visit please contact us at marketvisits@uktiem.co.uk
or call us on 0845 052 4001.

As space is limited, please send us your expression of interest by 8 February 2012.
The earlier you reserve your place, the sooner we can start researching leads for you
which will help you to get the most out of your visit.

Located at the very heart of Europe with good links to Western and Eastern
Europe, the Czech Republic is one of the most stable and a prosperous market
in Central Europe.

Czech companies are interested in adopting models of international standards
for the provision of Corporate Training covering leadership skills, personal
development, performance management, coaching and a wide variety of
other skills, with the objective to increase their competitiveness level.
When delivered in English, the combination is compelling.

The UK has an excellent reputation in the Czech Republic in the Education
and Skills sector. UK providers are therefore ideally placed to meet the needs
of Czech business, government and academia.

Receive practical support before, during and after your visit from experienced

THE VISIT
The visit is planned to take place between the 5th and 12th February 2012, centred on Sofia, but an extension will be offered to visit Haskovo, in the south-east of the country, where some of their food and wine is produced. Leicester City is twinned with the city of Haskovo, and, with the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, has a long term plan for assistance and co-operation.

5th Feb - Depart UK and arrive Sofia
6th Feb - Market Briefing at British Embassy
Meeting with the Ambassador
Company Visits
Evening Reception at the Ambassador’s Residence
7th Feb - Company Visits and meeting with the Bulgarian Chamber
8th Feb - Company Visits
9th Feb - Return to UK - or travel to Haskovo, via Plovdiv (2nd city)
10th Feb - Meeting with the Mayor of Haskovo
Company Visits
Haskovo Chamber Conference with MPs and visiting Diplomats
Haskovo Chamber Reception and Food Fair
11th Feb - Visit to local vineyard for St Triffon Zarezan Celebration
Lunchtime Reception hosted in municipality or vineyard
Return to Sofia
12th Feb Return flight to UK
During the time in Sofia – we plan to meet the British Ambassador, UKTI staff, representatives of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and targeted companies relevant to mission members. On the Thursday delegates can return to the UK or extend their involvement by visiting Haskovo.
Opportunities will be available for companies to showcase their products (particularly in the food and drink sector) at various Receptions and Meetings, where appropriate.

A registration fee of £300 + VAT is required for each Chamber member and £350 + VAT non members (£350 + VAT Chamber members or £400 + VAT non members if joining the extended visit to Haskovo). Cheques, made payable to ‘Business Builder Ltd’, should be returned to Paul Murphy
at 1 Mill Lane, Leicester, LE2 7HU.

The mission leader is John Townsend, Deputy President of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce and an honorary member of the Haskovo Chamber.
For additional information Tel - 0116 279 2586 or Email – JohnTownsend@f2s.com
To register for this event contact:
Mr Paul Murphy at Business Builder Limited
Tel - 0116 258 7354 / 07787 151 471 Email – paulm@bizbuild.co.uk 

WHY BULGARIA?
Bulgaria, with a population of 7.8 million and a location in the south eastern part of mainland Europe, acts as a gateway to Eastern Europe, especially Romania, Greece, Turkey, Serbia and Macedonia. The country joined the EU on 1st January 2007 and has subsequently taken advantage of the free movement of people, goods, services and capital throughout the Euro zone. Bulgaria is receiving over €12 billion of EU funding up to 2013 - to be invested in the transport and utilities infrastructures, development projects and business innovation, technology and training.
Although our initial intention was to focus the mission on the food and drink sector, it is open to all as it will offer opportunities in other sectors for pro-active UK companies.
MARKET RESEARCH
To make the most of the visit, it is essential to plan ahead with proper research. At modest cost, companies will be able to take advantage of UKTI ‘OMIS Reports’ (Overseas Market Introduction Service), specific to their market sector, prepared by the Sofia based UKTI staff - (the cost is subsidised). These reports provide essential information on the country’s economic backgroundand specific market research tailored to the recipient. This service will also set up one-to-one meetings for mission members – so that the best use is made of the time available. On
confirmation of involvement companies will be put in touch with a UKTI International Trade Advisor (ITA), who will provide detailed information.
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION
Delegates are responsible for arranging their own flights and hotel accommodation – but the mission leader will be using Wizz Air, from Luton, and will be able to advise on suitable hotels.
Return flight costs from Luton are currently around £150 including baggage allowances.
UKTI GRANT
SMEs, which take up the OMIS Report offer, will be eligible for £350 grant towards travel and hotel expenses, if approved by their ITA.

11 - 16 March 2012

Can you afford to ignore one of the fastest growing economies in the world?

Did you know that over 40 East Midlands companies have participated in our group visits to Brazil since 2009 - with many bringing back real orders and further sales estimated at over £3m?

Join the UKTI on their forthcoming market visit to South America's leading economy in March 2012 and achieve these benefits for your business.

Why Brazil?

As the fifth-largest country in the world, with a population of nearly 200 million and a strong trading relationship already in place, Brazil is simply too large a market to ignore:
      
Economy
Brazil is currently the world's seventh largest economy and has one of the most rapidly developing economies in the world, with a GDP per head that is greater than either India or China. Brazil is the UK's most important trading partner in Latin America and the UK is one of Brazil's largest foreign investors. With its newfound oil wealth and upcoming World Cup and Olympic events, the nation is expected to see significant growth for years to come.

Trade
The Brazilian business environment is modern and sophisticated with a broad domestic industrial base and many larger multinational investors. This development is supported by the Government's programme of privatisation and deregulation.
    The UK enjoys a strong and historic trading relationship with Brazil, stretching back over 200 years. However, there is strong evidence to suggest that many UK companies are not aware of the size and level of opportunity that exists in Brazil.
     
Please visit the UKTI Website for more information on Brazil.

Is funding available to help companies?

Yes - qualifying companies can receive funding to help meet costs.

Register your interest

To register your interest in this visit please complete this online form.

Please note that there are only a limited number of places available.The earlier you reserve your place, the sooner we can start researching leads for you which will help you to get the most out of your visit.

The Chamber was concerned to learn recently that Ryanair had  decided to withdraw from Belfast City Airport, which meant the loss of the three times daily service to and from East Midlands Airport.  However we are now delighted to learn that bmibaby has introduced additional five flights to their existing programme, between East Midlands Airport and Belfast International Airport, from 31st October 2010.

According to information we have received,  bmibaby's winter schedule offers passengers a choice of three flights a day on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, two flights a day on a Tuesday and Sunday, in addition to one flight on a Saturday, bringing the total number of flights between East Midlands Airport and Belfast International Airport to 17 per week.

We also learned that new operator Flybe has also announced 12 flights per week between Belfast City Airport and East Midlands Airport this winter, with two flights daily (Monday to Friday) and one flight on a Saturday and Sunday.

Flights to both Belfast International and Belfast City from East Midlands Airport are now available via www.bmibaby.com and www.flybe.com.