A trade consultancy business from Barking played host to some of the finest Spanish foods on Wednesday, in a bid to help a popular Mediterranean province penetrate the UK market.
Tradex Consultancy UK, who launched at the Barking Enterprise Centre back in January, welcomed a unique trade delegation from Malaga to world-renown Spanish restaurant Hispania, in the City.
Up to 60 British importers were given the chance to sample some of the region’s top olive oils, cheeses, hams and fish in what could later prove to be a milestone for the province’s foreign economy.
Tradex UK chief executive Juan Galicia Montero, 28, said: “This is such a fantastic event for us, we can’t get much higher – it’s like our very own Champion’s League.
“Seven years ago I was working as a sales assistant in an Oxford Street department store and now our own business is welcoming these top producers to one of the world’s best restaurants, it’s amazing.”
Travelling under the brand Sabor a Malaga, which translates to the ‘Flavour of Malaga’, the delegation represented almost 200 producers from the Mediterranean holiday region.
Both Juan and managing director Jesús Manso Arcas, 30, also hail from the area and were delighted to be helping out their home city.
“It’s amazing to think how far we’ve come, but the support in Barking and Dagenham has also been great, both from the Enterprise centre and also the media,” said Jesus.
“We send articles from the Post over to Spanish companies, which has really helped us grow.”
Tradex have already been featured on Spanish television and now hope to welcome fresh food delegations from other Spanish cities and regions.
Mark Kass, head of enterprise and economic development for Agilisys, based at the Barking Enterprise Centre, said: “It’s just fantastic and shows what can be achieved through hard work.
“The success of these guys really illustrates the opportunities for small businesses in Barking and Dagenham to progress into global enterprises.”
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