Speaking at the launch of the 2018 International Business Festival last week, Prince William called on Britain’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to broaden their horizons and embrace international trade.
The event itself, which will take place in Liverpool next summer and focuses on the importance of establishing international business relationships, has been described as the “Glastonbury of business” by commentators and the media.
At its launch last week, the Duke of Cambridge delivered a speech to business leaders, where he referred to the years ahead as an opportunity for British firms to “strengthen links with old friends and create new opportunities.”
He said: “The festival’s organising principle is that business can, and should, be a force for good.
“As we look to the future, we all recognise just how important it will be that we work to build connections with trading partners all around the world – strengthening links with old friends and creating new opportunities.”
The Prince added that he was “very pleased to see the way in which the festival is particularly focusing on SMEs,” which he described as “the backbone” of the British economy.
Max Steinberg, Founder and Chairman of the festival, added: “Last year’s festival began as the country was preparing to take to the polls to vote on its future and it clearly decided its future lay outside the European Union.”
He quipped: “Somebody asked me what it was like running the festival during the Brexit vote my (answer) was ‘it was like colonic irrigation’ – it’s good for you but you don’t realise that till a long time afterwards.”