The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade has hosted a raft of events over the last week, including its graduation ceremony for this year’s class of students and its first Wales Member Forum, which brought together Welsh members to share insights on their experiences as traders in the nation.
Next week is also set to feature member-exclusive events, including the next in our Lunchtime Learning series of webinars.
Export controls insights
Next Thursday (7 November) will feature the next in the Lunchtime Learning series, this time examining export controls and how they affect traders in different industries.
The event – which members can sign up for here – will explore the latest trends in UK export controls, as well as how businesses can manage the impact of controls and sanctions.
Topics likely to feature include the migration from the old SPIRE system to the Licensing for International Trade (LITE), the application process for LITE and the importance of correctly classifying your goods.
There will also be a look at the AUKUS agreement and what it means for traders.
Graduation
At an event in London’s Mansion House last Thursday (24 October), Chartered Institute director general Marco Forgione said that the expertise gained by this year’s almost 900 students would help them to “leave a legacy” in trade.
“Today’s challenges and opportunities must precipitate a new trusted trade model – to enable fairer distribution of benefits, a just transition, and trust in trade.
“This is why your achievements matter – you are the foundation stone of trade’s trusted future.”
The event also featured Sangeeta Khorana, professor of international trade policy at Aston University and the Chartered Institute’s academic board chair, who said that graduates’ new qualifications would help them “to shine bright and say, ‘You can trust in me.’”
There were also warm words for the Class of 2024 from Lord Mayor of the City of London professor Michael Mainelli, Chartered Institute chair Terry Scuoler and Marcel Landau, chairman of the IOE Foundation.
You can read our full write-up of the event here.
Wales Member Forum
Last week also featured the first Chartered Institute Wales Member Forum, where members discussed the key challenges and opportunities for businesses trading internationally from Wales.
Members highlighted the importance of improving awareness of the trade finance support available to Welsh firms, and suggested the forum could be used to signpost resources in future. Several also felt that there was a need to simplify access to learning and support resources for traders, particularly on using the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).
There was emphasis on the importance of collaboration for Welsh firms, including sharing information on events and skills development.
One member suggested the Forum could help SMEs in Wales to export by providing practical support, while a concluding discussion noted the nation’s potential for international trade apprenticeships and the possibilities of trade as a career path for young people.
Chartered Institute head of nations and regions Paul Brooks said it was “great to bring together a group of members from different backgrounds” in Wales to share understanding, insights and aspirations for Welsh trade.
“For the launch of the Wales Members Forum, our aim was to build a community of fully engaged members who can support each other and challenge us, their Chartered Institute, to develop and expand our offering and way we support them and international trade in Wales.
“The forum’s inaugural members were a good mix of SMEs, finance professionals, devolved government and UK government individuals. The common thread was that they are all Chartered Institute members and all operate in Wales.
“The next Wales Forum on 11 February 2025 will feature an expanded agenda and guest speakers with UKEF being lined up for February.”
