Wednesday 28th July 2010 / 12:15 – 14:00

IoD Kent - International Business Forum

France and the UK are major economic and trade partners. They are major investors in each other’s countries. UK exports to France amount to some £20 billion a year and account for nearly 10% of the country’s visible exports worldwide. Strong high-speed rail, road, air and sea transport connections put Kent businesses in prime position to benefit from this extremely active trade environment.   Opportunities exist in a number of key sectors, such as Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Software, Creative, Environment, Aerospace, Automotive, Railways, Chemicals, Food & Drink and Consumer Goods, as well as niche markets in all other sectors, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. 

Find out how to make the most of these business opportunities at the next International Business Forum, with guest speakers Carolyn Bentley, International Trade Adviser at UK Trade & Investment South East and Anne Marnat, Manager, Inward Investment of HSBC’s Commercial International Banking Centre, who will focus on exporting, French business culture and banking in France.

The International Business Forum, chaired by Olga D’Silva, Head of Zên Languages, is intended as an open discussion among people who are thinking of taking their first steps, or currently trade overseas and are looking for new foreign markets and new opportunities. Expert speakers help us explore specific areas of interest in more detail.  The objective is to facilitate introductions and bring like-minded professionals together around a table to discuss opportunities on the international markets and how to take advantage of them.

The venue will move to various locations around Kent, and for the third meeting our hosts will be Medway Council’s Project TEN, (Transmanche Enterprise Network) at the Innovation Centre Medway,  a workspace dedicated to innovative businesses or entrepreneurs.

By design places are strictly limited, so if you’d like to join us, please book now.

Date:   Wednesday 28^th July 2010 / 12:15 – 14:00 (working lunch provided)

Venue:  Innovation Centre Medway

Topic for discussion: Doing Business in France 

Price:  Member £15 / Non-member £25 +VAT

Booking:  Tel: 01795 435918   Website http://www.iod.com/kent