International Trade Special Interest Group review of the year
Against the background of a growing number of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and increased activity by IoD London, our established International Trade Special Interest Group had another busy year in 2023.
Open to IoD members interested in international trade, the group runs a programme of high-profile trade relations events and topic-led discussions, bringing experts together to shape the future of international trade in the UK.
In addition to its monthly meetings, the International Trade team ran a series of events in 2023, ranging from its Indian Young Entrepreneurs Dinner to an FTA Discussion with British Chambers in Türkiye.
Team members attended Hungarian and Uzbekistan cultural and business events, which included observing the Uzbek Presidential Elections and meeting with tech start up facilitator IT Park, the Minister of Innovation and Uzbek Chambers.
The group signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indonesian Chambers of Commerce and Yunnan Province and even South Korea and celebrated South Korea’s National Day.
The International Trade Group also marked the start of negotiations with Israel on a Fintech and Digital FTA.
In addition, the group represented the IoD at a diverse range of receptions from celebrating US Independence Day, hosting a trade delegation from Texas and welcoming new Councillor for Commercial Affairs, Laurie Farris.
Andrew Lambert, chair of the IoD’s International Trade Special Interest Group, said:
“The International Trade Group is proud to have helped develop other SIGs through our work, including IoD Africa, China and Japan Groups. Over the last year the Japan Group held a very successful Japan Symposium and continued their regular meetings with the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, Keizai Doyukai, while the Africa group visited the Nigeria, Kenya and Togo High Commissions.
We are delighted to have signed a Letter of Cooperation between the IoD and DEiK, the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye, and to welcome Yildiz Tuğba Kara to lead this important relationship.
I would like to thank Alistair Elder for his contribution as he steps aside from this role owing to business commitments.”
