The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have unveiled a new initiative to support businesses affected by the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The Diplomatic Advisory Hub has already begun briefing firms, with more than 600 companies receiving updates on the situation and its potential impact on British industry.
The hub, first announced in March last year, is now fully operational. It offers personalised geopolitical advice through online platforms and events across the UK chamber network. The briefings cover implications for costs, energy and logistics, with further updates planned in the coming months as the situation evolves.
Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said the first webinar on the Middle East demonstrated the hub's importance. She highlighted its role in helping small and medium-sized enterprises navigate geopolitics and expand into new markets, describing the partnership with the FCDO as a driver for growth.
Foreign Office minister Seema Malhotra emphasised the hub's rapid impact, stating it combines the BCC's business network with expert diplomatic advice. The initiative comes after days of attacks between US-Israeli and Iranian forces, raising concerns about instability affecting British industry.
