Support for British exporters in Poland
(Date: 2010-04-18)
The British Polish Chamber of Commerce (BPCC) and other bilateral
chambers of commerce have traditionally found it difficult to recruit
and retain exporters and distributors, for the simple reason that most
operate on many markets and joining one international chamber would mean
having to join several, diluting the marketing value of such
memberships.
The BPCC has created a new membership class designed to overcome this issue. The new class would give membership status to the partnership between an exporter (either from the UK or Poland) and its principle distributor or agent in the other country. The exporter would benefit from all the services and events that the BPCC offers in one country (seminars, forums, business mixers, policy work and lobbying), while the distributor or agent would benefit from the services and events offered in the other country.
Martin Oxley, chief executive officer of the BPCC said: "The only way that UK PLC can emerge from its current economic difficulties is to trade its way out. Britain must be more proactive in selling its goods and services around the world. Poland should be one of the top destinations for British exporters. It is a growth market, offering the opportunities of an emerging market coupled with the stability and closeness of established EU markets of western Europe. The pound, some 24% weaker against the euro than it was three years ago, offers British exporters competitiveness against goods or services from the eurozone, from where Poland currently buys over 55% of all its imports. Our new membership class is designed to help British exporters target the Polish market more effectively. We'll be helping at both ends; their distributors here in Poland can network our membership and tap into all the services we offer."
He cited a British manufacturer that had difficulties obtaining Polish standards for its building materials. "Together with its Polish distributor, we've been on to the EU's Internal Market directorate-general to remove bureaucratic hurdles that hamper free trade in this sector".
The new membership class works the other way, too. "Polish exporters have some great products that British companies and consumers would find very interesting. We work closely in the UK with distributors and agents with a proven track record on the British market who are looking for goods and services. Polish products are increasingly seen as offering high quality and innovative design. Over the years, we've met literally thousands of Polish exporters and we're keen to help them expand their markets beyond their traditional ones - Poland's neighbours Germany, Scandinavia, Czech Republic and countries of the former Soviet Union."
The BPCC's new membership class costs just 10% more than membership fees for one company. Firms eligible to join must be either exporters or distributors/agents, who would nominate their principle partner in the other country, who would join them in BPCC membership. "How the two companies split the cost is entirely up to them," said Mr Oxley.
For press further information:
Wioletta Rodak-Slabuszewska, British Polish Chamber of Commerce
tel: +48 22 320 01 18
e-mail: wioletta.rodak@bpcc.org.pl
For full details about membership:
Maria Kowalewska, British Polish Chamber of Commerce
Tel: +48 22 320 01 03
e-mail: membership@bpcc.org.pl
British-Polish Chamber of Commerce (BPCC)
Established in 1992 the BPCC has grown to become Poland’s leading international voice of business. It is a not for profit membership comprising 500 member companies which represent 25% of the total foreign direct investment in Poland since 1990. The BPCC’s mission is to promote international business, cultural relations and leadership in sustainable business. The BPCC is a recognized public voice on British Polish bilateral relations working closely with business and government to create a better business environment. A key goal of the organization is to promote corporate social responsibility and sustainable economic development.