The Marco Polo Initiative: reflections on internationalisation, sustainability and key challenges facing SMEs: now and post Brexit

The 9 th Chester Forum takes as its focus the major research report recently published for the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce "Internationalisation, Sustainability and Key Challenges Facing SMEs: A Comparative study of the UK and China" Lam, Harris, Sidsaph, Wang, Zhou and Yang (2018). This focuses on export competitiveness in China and the UK and SMEs understanding of sustainability in our changing global market. It reflects on developments in the City of Chester and across the wider region being turned from political concept into economic reality and what it means for Cheshire, Warrington and the wider region over the next decade. It also meets against a backdrop of a changing international trade landscape as reflected in the less than harmonious G7 Summit in Quebec, forward looking Singapore Korea Meeting and Russia, Iran's and Saudi Arabia's position in the world and increased moves towards protectionism. It considers issues and trends from Europe and the US and have a particular focus on trade with China and the development of linkages ahead of BREXIT and the establishment of the new Silk Road (One Belt: One Road). A number of Chinese academics, notably from Guilin, Guanxi Province, Southern China and businesses and leaders from across the region explore these issues. It also looks at international comparisons and the real employers and drivers of much of the economy-SME and Family Business. It makes critical suggestions and its aim is to inform decision makers on economic and societal priorities via dialogue and informed discussion. There is an introduction and four key sections to the day and the focus is on how we develop trade and culture along the new Silk Road and the development of the Belt and Road Initiative.