CHAMBER of Commerce officials are hoping to strengthen international trade links between south Cheshire and Poland as part of a twinning visit.

A delegation including the South Cheshire Chamber’s international trade manager Jacqui Morris will journey to Dzierzoniow, a town at the foot of the Owl Mountains in southwestern Poland, later this month.

The group which includes Cllr David Marren and Crewe and Nantwich fire cadet leader Peter Shields will attend Dzieroniow Economic Presentations, an event where the town’s businesses exhibit their offering.

Jacqui said: “Crewe has been twinned with Dzieroniow since 2005 and as well as reaffirming cultural links, the Chamber’s aim is to create opportunities for our local business community.

“South Cheshire is home to over 5,000 Polish people and we hope to maximise the benefit of this relationship by developing contacts and identifying areas for local businesses to trade overseas.

“We have a wonderfully diverse range of businesses and services in south Cheshire and we will carry this message to Poland.”

Information on opportunities will be fed back to businesses via the Chamber’s International Trade Forum which is held at the Manchester Metropolitan University Crewe campus.

The next meeting will be on June 6, when Ed Whitby from Crewe ice cream van manufacturer Whitby Morrison will share some of the company’s adventures in global markets and Margaret Bourke from the Department of International Trade will present ‘Doing Business with Japan’ offering delegates important tips on Japanese culture.

Jacqui added: “Dzieroniow is steeped in history and has a strong tourism economy. We believe it is an area where our local businesses can tap into exporting their products and services.”

Dzieroniow is a popular destination for tourists who hike the Owl Mountains - home to one of the largest species of owl, the Eurasian eagle owl noted for its distinctive ear tufts and giant wingspan of over 6ft.

Like Crewe, it is also twinned with Bischofsheim in Germany.

Cllr Marren, a member of Crewe and Nantwich twinning association, said: “Our invitation is to the 41st Dzierzoniow Days, from May 25 to 28.

"This is an annual community festival which is being combined for the second time with a trade exhibition called Dzieroniow Presentations, where town businesses come together to exhibit their offering so making it the biggest economic and cultural event organised by the town.

"The Mayor of Dzierzoniow is really keen on economic and cultural links and feels, as I do, that the Civic links really need to be enhanced by offering opportunities to local clubs and businesses.

“The message coming loud and clear from Dzierzoniow is: ‘Our arms are open, trade with us and make connections.’ We hope this visit will help forge exciting new links.”

Businesses already trading with Poland are invited to get in touch with the chamber to see how they can build relationships with Polish companies.

The chamber is also actively pursuing opportunities for local businesses to trade in the Commonwealth countries.

For further information on how the Chamber supports and advices best practise for exports and assists in seeking opportunities in international trade, contact Jacqui on 01270 445406 or jacqui.morris@sccci.co.uk