Club meeting - Buisnes Gateway International Trade

Scottish Borders Export Club
January 2004 Club Meeting
Thursday 15th January 2004 - 6.15 for 6.30 p.m.

George & Abbotsford Hotel, Melrose

- Business Gateway -

Sponsored by The Clydesdale Bank

 
First, let me wish everyone a very Happy & Prosperous New Year, and I hope you are all refreshed after the holidays. The first Export Club meeting of 2004 is Thursday, 15th January. That's next week, so make a note in your diary please.
 
This meeting covers a subject that will be of interest to all companies, be they large or small - the Business Gateway.  Over the past year changes have taken place which effect the products and assistance available to companies via the Scottish Borders International Trade Partnership. We seek to explain what these changes are, and how they might effect you.
 
Our first speaker is Ros Forrest, Manager, Service & Consumer Industries Team, Scottish Development International. Ros will give us an overview of the SDI, and Scottish Enterprise, International Trade support structure and strategies in relation to the national 'Global Connections' strategy.  She will also give a summary of key issues going forward relating to the Internationalisation of Scottish businesses.
 
Next, for a local perspective, we have Alisa Voss, Manager, Business Gateway International Trade - Scottish Borders, who will explain how the changes will effect the delivery of BGIT (Business Gateway International Trade) and International Trade support in the Borders. Alisa will explain the BGIT objectives and resources, and she will give us an overview of the range of support services and products available to companies.
 
Our third speaker is Murdo Beaton, Edinburgh International Trade, certainly no stranger to Export Club meetings. Murdo will tell us about the International Preparedness Programme, which was pioneered and developed by Edinburgh International Trade and is now available locally for the first time. It is hoped we will also have a short case study from a past participator in the Programme.
 
Following the main presentations a representative from our sponsor, The Clydesdale Bank, will say a few words on the services the Bank can offer Exporters.
 
At the end of a busy evening we will hold our AGM, details of which will be issued in a separate notice.
 
This first meeting of 2004 promises to be very interesting and informative for all Scottish Borders companies. A reminder; all Scottish Borders Export Club events are open to anyone with an interest in Exporting, everyone is welcome - be they members or not, manufacturers, designers, or service providers. We look forward to welcoming you..
As usual the presentations will be followed by a finger buffet giving you the opportunity to meet your peers, people from Borders companies with an interest in International Trade.

Please let us know if you plan on attending this meeting by sending an e-mail to robbinross@scotbordersexportclub.fsnet.co.uk

 
 
                                                                       Agenda

     Time (pm)                                  Topic                                                            Speaker

6.15 for 6.30 p.m.    Arrival - tea & Coffee

6.30                         Welcome and Introductions                                     Mike Wilson, Club Captain

                                SDI & SE International Trade                                   Ros Forrest, SDI

                                Business gateway International Trade                     Alisa Voss, SEB

                                International Preparedness Programme                   Murdo Beaton, Edin Int. Trade

                                A word from our Sponsor                                          Les Cumming,  Clydesdale Bank

                                Vote of thanks                                                           Mike Wilson, Club Captain

                                AGM

    8.30 - 9.45          Buffet Supper and networking

Many of the benefits to be gained from attending an Export Club meeting come through the networking opportunities that present themselves after the meeting. Do not miss these opportunities, plan your evening such that you can stay until around 9.30 p.m., enjoy the excellent buffet, and meet your fellow exporters.