An estimated 71,000 have been killed, buried or remain unaccounted for.
500,000 are now homeless and in need of support.
220,000 have been injured, many of them children.
The devastation zone measures an area of approximately 100,000 square kilometres (40,000 square miles) -- an area roughly three quarters the size of England.
Entire towns in mountainous Sichuan province were flattened in Monday's quake, and have subsequently been hit by further aftershocks and landslides, making the ongoing search for any remaining survivors impossible.
With rescue operations across Sichuan continuing, providing accommodation and medicine to those lucky to survive is now critical.
Tents, medicines & equipment are in short supply and are urgently needed. We appeal to the business community in the UK to help in supporting the effort to collect donated and purchased tents and medicines for China's earthquake zones. The Chinese Embassy and Consulate General will help in making arrangements at the China end to ensure a speedy delivery to the Earthquake area.
Offers of airfreight for the tents and medicines to China Any enquiries should be directed to Dr. Kegang Wu, Director of ChinaLink / Chief China Adviser, British Chambers of Commerce at kegang.wu@britishchambers.org.uk / 07974753528
The full list of medicines and equipment required is available at www.chinalink.org.uk
This appeal is supported by:
The Consulate General, The Peoples' Republic of China in Manchester
The British Chambers of Commerce
ChinaLink
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Susino (UK) Ltd.
International Trade Events
Surrey Chambers of Commerce regularly organise export documentation training, seminars and International Trade events. Our next event is:-Using Documentary Credits, Drafts and Bills
Date: Wednesday 9th July 2008
Time: 9.00 - 16.00
Venue: Surrey Chambers of Commerce offices, Woking
Click here for more information on our export events and training courses
UK Trade and Investment are running the following events:-
Doing Business in the UAE
Date: Tuesday 24th June 2008
Venue: Holiday Inn, Guildford
The UAE is the UK’s 9th largest export market offering excellent opportunities for South East businesses. To help you learn more about this exciting market, UK Trade & Investment are running an informative seminar.
Topics include: an update on of the UAE market and business opportunities; expert advice from The British Embassy in Dubai and the Middle East Association; a case study from a company that has successfully entered the UAE market; the opportunity for a one-to-one meeting with our speakers and informative handouts and information about the UAE.
The seminar costs £50 + VAT per delegate. An early booking discount is available if you book before Tuesday 3rd June, subject to conditions. Please enquire when booking. To book your place, please contact us on 08452 717 400 or email events@uktisoutheast.com.
Doing Business in Greater China (incl Hong Kong and Taiwan)
Date: Tuesday 15th July 2008
Venue: Holiday Inn, Guildford
China has had GDP growth of around 9 percent per annum since the mid nineties and the UK is one of the largest foreign investors in China. Great opportunities exist for South East companies and to help you find out more, UK Trade & Investment are running an informative seminar.
Topics include: an update on the Chinese, Hong Kong (HK) and Taiwanese markets and business opportunities; expert advice from David Marsden, Director, Hong Kong Trade & Investment (HKTDC); the opportunity for a one-to-one meeting with our speakers, a copy of the latest China Business Guide and the chance to find out more about our Market Visit to China in November 2008.
The seminar costs £50 + VAT per delegate. An early booking discount is available if you book before Tuesday 24th June, subject to conditions. Please enquire when booking. To book your place, please contact us on 08452 717 400 or email events@uktisoutheast.com.
EUR1 and ATR Documents Now Available Online!
As of the 1st May 2008 exporters will be able to apply for EUR1 and ATR documents via the internet. For more information please email amanda.hutchison@surrey-chambers.co.uk or call Amanda on 01483 735547.Click here to register as an e-Cert user You will need to quote the password 'puddle'.
Potential Issues Surrounding Trading with Iran
We have heard from exporters to Iran that some Banks are withdrawing services they were providing for business with Iran and legitimate long standing previously sanctioned business is now being blocked.
It appears there certainly are current banking problems with Iran. The link below takes you to a statement from the British Iranian Chamber of Commerce which outlines the liquidity problems in the economy.
We have spoken with Raheem Uddin (UKTI Iran desk) and Mr Youssef (Jo) Daneshvar at the BICC. It seems one of the Iranian Banks ( Bank Sepah) has had UN Sanctions put on it, but there are 3 other Iranian Banks in London operating at the moment:- Bank Melli PLC, Bank Saderat, Persia International Bank.
A further problem however, is that two of our own clearing Banks (Barclays & HSBC ) are not acting as clearing agents for payments from Iranian Banks. The BICC has written to the Treasury on behalf of British exporters but the Government response is that Barclays & HSBC are private sector banks and the decision is theirs. Now the BICC wants to try to get the Bank of England to intervene.
Mr Daneshvar was very helpful and offers to help any exporter with this problem, through the BICC. Exporters can also check the BICC website: www.bicc.org.uk for current trading restrictions with Iran and the UK Trade Invest website: www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk or tel: 020 7215 4834 (Iran desk) for the current trading situation and any updates. Click here for the statement from the British Iranian Chamber of Commerce
EUR1 Certificates for Israel
We have been notified recently that Israel will not accept handwritten EUR1's - from now on they must be typed.
Electronic Certificates of Origin
For a quicker and more efficient way of processing Certificates of Origin via the internet, enabling you to print off your completed certificate within minutes, e-Cert eXpress is now available. To find out more, click on the link below.Click here for e-Cert press release
Link to Export Documentation page
Important information regarding Arab Documentation
We have been advised by the Arab British Chamber of Commerce that shipments are being held up in a number of Arab states, particularly GCC countries (listed below). Customs in these countries are now refusing to accept hand written export documentation.
To ensure a speedy and problem free service please ensure all of your Arab documentation is presented to us in typescriptThe GCC countries are:
International Trade news and events from Surrey Chambers, our partners and Chamber members. 