UK Trade and Industry (UKTI) experts from 15 global markets will be in Kenilworth on March 23 for a free small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) forum.

The officers are all based overseas and help support UK-based companies in countries like Brazil, China, South Africa and Slovakia*.

This will be the first time in five years the industry has brought together so many international experts in one place.

The forum will allow companies with an eye on global markets to learn from those with experience and an understanding of a market's potential.

The free forum takes place at the Chesworth Grange Hotel, Kenilworth. It is open to any SME with existing or potential business interests in the international markets to meet country experts for advice.

The forum is also a part of a four-day industry briefing for UKTI staff with responsibility for the automotive sector. The aim is to make these officers aware of the strengths of the UK industry, which will help them to promote UK-based companies when they are back at their overseas posts.

The four-day industry briefing takes place from March 20-24. It is run by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and partners in the Automotive Sector Group, the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) and Construction Equipment Association (CEA).

Companies who would like to attend the SME forum, should contact Pat Shaw on 020 7344 9260 or email pshaw@smmt.co.uk to reserve a place.

(*UKTI representatives from the following markets are expected at the forum: Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea and the USA.)