BURY is to stage a trans-Atlantic link-up with business leaders in Miami during a high-powered video conferencing event.

And it will also be the signal to launch a major US export drive.

Bolton and Bury Chamber's Business Link will detail the new Export USA initiative at the event to be held next Thursday, at 2pm.

This scheme gives local companies expert assistance in taking innovative products in the US market.

For a subsidised fee of £1,000, local innovators can receive extensive market research support to investigate the potential of their products in the US, practical advice and top-level training on marketing and publicity for the American market and a trip to a relevant USA trade event to start generating leads.

The "live" Miama link-up will give these innovators and other companies a headstart in developing US and Latin American trading links. Guest of honour in Bury will be Robin Baylis, HM Consul for Florida.

Both panels of speakers will include business experts in corporate law, banking, freight forwarding, marketing, economic development and inward investment - together with companies which have trade links between the UK and USA/Latin America.

Almost half of the conference will be devoted to questions from the audience, allowing maximum participation by North West businesses.

Julian Birchett, Business Link's head of international trade, said: "This event is the start of a major assault on lucrative US and Latin American markets and promises to be of interest to both novice and experienced exporters alike."

A trade mission to Miami will be organised by Business Link Bolton and Bury in the spring of next year.

To reserve a place at the video conferencing event, contact Neal Massey on 0161 762 3316.

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