After the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Trade Policy Forum in November, which focused upon Brexit, the Chamber formally wrote to the Prime Minister and David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. Following this approach, the Chamber were delighted that Rt. Hon. David Jones MP, Minister of State for Exiting the European Union, took up the offer to come and meet with members.

On 8th December, representatives from local businesses, the British Chambers of Commerce, the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and the Department of International Trade met with Rt. Hon. David Jones MP at Carvers (Wolverhampton) Ltd for a round table discussion about the plans for leaving the EU.

The discussion itself was highly informative, with Rt. Hon. David Jones MP explaining that the Department for Exiting the European Union are currently meeting with businesses across the country to learn more about their priorities, opportunities and concerns. Another key point that he made during the conversation is that governmental departments want to hear from businesses in relation to Brexit, and encouraged them to get in touch with their views.

The main areas covered in the meeting included infrastructure investment, post-Brexit trade agreements, the importance of international trade, foreign workers, exchange rates, food prices, funding and the skills agenda.

David Jones, Minister of State for the Department for Exiting the European Union, said: “My meeting with the Black Country Chamber of Commerce was very productive and I greatly value the opinions expressed by businesses around the table.

“Britain is one of the great trading nations of the world. More than 1.7 million people in the West Midlands voted to leave the European Union and I look forward to seeing this important part of the country seize the new opportunities our exit will present.”

Corin Crane, Chief Executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, commented: “Black Country businesses have a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will be a vital component of successful Brexit negotiations, that's why this relationship with the minister is so important in making sure we get the best deal possible for UK Industry. The Chamber will continue to lobby decision makers at every opportunity to make this happen, and we look forward to this being the start of a positive and fruitful collaboration.”