From 3-8 March, students from across Europe will arrive in Durham as New College Durham hosts this year’s annual International Trade Mission. The event will see nearly 100 European students come to the College to promote a product or service from a company based in their home country with the aim of exploring potential collaborations with businesses in the North East of England. Around 30 international companies will be represented at the Trade Fair with a range of products on display including confectionary, clothing, food, drink and even a mobile home! Clare Howarth, International Business Development Manager at New College Durham, said: “Over the last three years, our Higher Education business students and staff have enjoyed taking part in the annual Trade Mission held at different cities in Europe, so we are delighted to have been invited to host this year’s event. Being Host College provides the opportunity for more of our students to become involved in the Trade Mission experience. Our business students are already in touch with the European students offering them advice on the region and assisting them in organising meetings with potential collaboration partners. Other higher education students will be assisting by providing tours of Durham and the college.” A representative from the Department for International Trade and John Widdowson, the principal of New College Durham, will officially open the Trade Mission on Wednesday 6 March at 4pm. As part of the Trade Mission, the students are also being involved in the College’s Employer Breakfast event on Tuesday 5 March where they have the opportunity to network with local businesses. John Widdowson commented: “This event provides students with the platform to gain real life experience of working internationally and we hope that it will encourage our students to take part in next year’s Trade Mission representing a company from the North East.” Employers who would like to find out more about Trade Mission and international business are welcome to come along to the Employer Breakfast on Tuesday 5th March 8am to 10am. To register for this free event go to www.newcollegedurham.ac.uk/news-events/college-events/employer-voice. Businesses are also welcome to come to the Trade Fair from 3pm to 6pm on Wednesday 6 March. The International Trade Mission is organised by Businet, a network of higher education institutions.