Welcome to the MTA Friday Brief for the 14th of June.
With some brave economists calling ‘green shoots’, we’ve data to suggest that the automotive and aerospace sectors continue to lead the way. That is true at least for the UK; much of the rest of Europe continues to contract. However, the latest International Trade Survey, suggests that British businesses are pretty bullish about their export potential. Three in five companies thought they would grow their markets overseas. The same survey also highlighted some areas where companies felt ill equipped to capitalise on export opportunities. These included access to trade finance and specific experience and know-how.
Trade associations like the MTA can help here. We can signpost you to some of the right finance packages available through UK Export Finance and can help you with your export plans, particularly if you’re targeting China or Russia where we have offices and staff in place. Dr Igor Bazhenov, Director MTA Russia, will be in the UK during the week commencing 22nd July. If you’d like to set up a meeting contact Adrian Sell at asell@mta.org.uk .
Thinking not quite so far afield, don’t forget that you can also take advantage of the MTA’s Offices in London to host meetings in a friendly, elegant (and cost effective!) environment. Click through for all the details of what’s available.
The MTA Inter Association Golf Day on the 17th of July will certainly be friendly (some of the swings may even be elegant…) and there are still a few places left for this really enjoyable sporting, social and networking event.
Looking further ahead, October will see the 2013 International Metrology Congress in Paris (7-10 October) we’ve details of how to sign up below.
MTA member Renishaw hosted a media open day this week at their new facility at Miskin outside Cardiff and the MTA was invited along. You can read a taster of what to look out for from the company below.
The Technology Strategy Board channels funds into industry to help innovation. Their voucher scheme is a simple starting point and the latest competition for them closes on the 24th July.
Finally MTA member Unison is celebrating both 40 years in business and the opening of a new factory next week with an open house; happy birthday and congratulations to them!
Have a good weekend.