MWW Welcomes Representatives from the International Trade Centre and Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office

Last month MWW had the honour of hosting representatives from the International Trade Centre (ITC) (a UN organisation based in Geneva), as well as staff from the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) and Nasir Awan the President of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. The visit took place in part thanks to a recent trip to Rwanda by Pascal Simian, our Senior Procurement Manager.

Pascal’s trip is part of a wider enterprise to help improve global supply chains and help UK firms gain in-depth knowledge of the business environment and specific market requirements to import from new potential suppliers and support developing regions.

The ITC and FCDO are actively working to enhance living standards in underprivileged regions around the world by helping local entrepreneurs access to export markets. These efforts extend beyond fresh produce to also include textiles, food products, and other goods. We at MWW are proud to be a part of this initiative, and with our global sourcing reach, we recognise the opportunity and responsibility to support exporters who are aiming to improve their local communities.

During the visit, we had the opportunity to showcase our world-class facilities and explain the high standards we adhere to in terms of quality, ethics, and safety when we source fresh produce. This exchange of knowledge will help entrepreneurs in developing regions to better understand the standards required to be export-ready and compete in international markets.

Following the visit, the Head of Mission at ITC shared her reflections with us, highlighting productive meetings with several prominent UK Chambers of Commerce, including:

- London Chamber of Commerce and Industry

- British Chambers of Commerce

- Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

- West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

- Chamber International

- Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce

As part of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, these meetings helped us to gain insight into Chamber operations, explore ways to expand outreach to UK importing companies, and discuss potential collaboration on upcoming ITC trade missions, under the UK-funded SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme. 

Trade missions help to show how trade can foster development, gender inclusivity, and collaboration among global buyers, sellers, and stakeholders such as ourselves.

MWW remains committed to supporting international trade initiatives that not only boost our own operations but also contribute to the socio-economic development of the communities we work with. We look forward to continuing our involvement in these valuable programmes, ensuring that trade fosters sustainable growth for all.

We are proud of the role MWW plays in global supply chains and the impact that collaboration with organisations like the ITC and FCDO can have on improving lives around the world.