EEF has announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with its US counterpart, the National Association for Manufacturers (NAM).
The agreement, signed by EEF chief executive, Terry Scouler, and NAM president and chief executive, Jay Timmons at a ceremony in Washington DC., will reportedly last for an initial period of three years.
The partnership will focus on promoting and raising awareness of trade opportunities in both countries for engineering and manufacturing companies.
This is thought to include sharing market intelligence, data and policy work, facilitating visits and economic delegations for promoting trade, investment and commercial exchanges and, opportunities for shared promotion at trade fairs, events and the two organisations’ respective major annual conferences.
The two groups plan to establish opportunities to meet both UK and US politicians, as well as senior manufacturing leaders from both countries.
As part of the agreement, EEF will also place an associate member of staff in Washington who will co-ordinate and manage day-to-day engagement activities to include setting up a Policy Forum between EEF and NAM.
EEF’s Terry Scuoler explained: “The ties between the United Kingdom and the United States go back a long way and we have significant political, economic and trade connections. The US is a vital market for UK industry and is likely to assume even more importance in the wake of Brexit with the opportunity to widen our trade links across the globe.
NAM’s Jay Timmons commented: “This agreement offers a tremendous opportunity for the NAM to deepen our relationship with EEF. As the UK gears up for Brexit negotiations with the EU, and the United States and UK lay the groundwork for a potential bilateral free trade agreement, close ties between manufacturers in our two countries are important to ensure we can seize the many opportunities before us.”
It was announced at the end of March 2017 that Scuoler would be stepping down as the head of EEF at the end of the year, following eight years in post.. The former army officer will reportedly remain in place until the end of 2017 to allow EEF time to appoint his successor.
