Now that the start date for the BREXIT negotiations has been confirmed, it started me thinking about what new trading opportunities could be created for Great Britain and in particular Solar Solve.
We mainly supply our roller sunscreens and window shades to the marine industry, with very little going to land-locked countries. Of those countries that do have a significant presence within the global marine industry, we already supply most of them.
I remember during all of the pontificating before the referendum and afterwards, that the Commonwealth was often referred to as one such opportunity and thought I would check it out via the Internet, because I had not realised just how many countries are members.
Fifty two countries are members of the Commonwealth that span Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific. They are diverse and amongst the world’s largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries. Thirty-one members are classified as small states – countries with a population size of 1.5 million people or less and larger member states that share similar characteristics with them.
All members subscribe to the Commonwealth’s values and principles outlined in The Commonwealth Charter. Leaders of member countries shape Commonwealth policies and priorities and every two years they meet to discuss issues affecting the Commonwealth and the wider world at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
All members have an equal say – regardless of size or economic stature. This ensures even the smallest member countries have a voice in shaping the Commonwealth.
As a potential target for British businesses that want to export their goods, I think they would be wise to err on the side of caution and consider that market as 21 countries rather than 52, but there still has to be opportunities within the organisation for any business that is not currently exporting to them.
In many respects I think Solar Solve is lucky, because we mainly manufacture antiglare sunshades for ships and oil rigs that are still going to be located all over the world in two years and beyond, so however the final BREXIT deal turns out, I doubt if it will have much effect on Solar Solve.
