LONDON | UK firms are this week seeking new businesses in Baltic States and Finland. The British trade and investment minister, Stephen Green, is in a visit to Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Finland that began Tuesday, focused on developing trading links with the UK and attracting new investment.
Exports of goods and services from the UK to the four countries visited this week totalled more than £3.6 billion in 2010, while exports of goods alone rose 16.5% to £2.4 billion in 2011.
Green will meet with Latvian prime minister Valdis Dombrovskis, Lithuanian prime minister Andrius Kubilius and Estonian prime minister Andrus Ansip, as well as with economic ministers in all four countries. He is also joining events with Finnish telecoms giant Nokia to promote opportunities for British busi
ness in the region, an official note release said.
The British minister is accompanied by firms from Yorkshire & the Humber in his stay in Riga and Vilnius. Green said:
“Many UK firms, particularly small and medium-sized companies, already have good business links with the Baltic States and Finland. However, there is clearly potential to develop and strengthen our economic relationship.
“In 2012 the eyes of the whole world are on the UK and we are working hard to make sure this year delivers the best possible economic impact for companies across the country. This trade mission and the many others like it are helping us do just that. They are also an important part of our ambition to get another 100,000 UK firms exporting by 2020.”
Among the businesses taking part in the mission there is Thomson Research Associates, a major producer and supplier of antimicrobial products to a global customer base, Transwaste Recycling & Aggregate, fashion brand Worn By, and East Riding Farm Services and Garth Partnership, companies working in animal health in the pig farming industry.
