EASTERN Europe is opening up to British business and Romania is high on the opportunity agenda, as a high-ranking royal will spell out in the county next week.

In a rare chance for Kent and Medway firms to cash in on closer Anglo-Romanian links, Prince Radu of Hohenzollern-Veringen will be at the University of Kent on Wednesday, May 1.

The prince is a special representative of the Government of Romania, advisor to Romania’s monarch King Michael I, and patron of the British Romanian Chamber of Commerce.

His presentation "Romania, Europe’s New Business Parner: Opportunities and challenges for UK Enterprise" aims to kickstart trade ties for local businesses.

It will be the first major event of a week-long royal visit by Prince Radu. He has previously visited the UK but this is his first time in the county as the Romanian government’s official representative.

Rosemary Hayes, spokeswoman for Kent Business School, said he was a charismatic speaker and many good things had flowed from his previous visits to regions of the UK.

"He has forged excellent long-term sustainable links from the first two visits and exchange visits have already taken place," she said. "There is great hope for similar co-operation resulting from the Kent visit."

The presentation in Brabourne Lecture Theatre, Keynes College, Canterbury, will last from 11am - 12 noon, followed by a networking lunch in Kent Business School from 12.30pm to 2.30pm. An information centre and trade desk will be available to offer support and advice.

"This is an ideal opportunity to meet the key players in UK-Romanian trade and enterprise initiatives," Ms Hayes added.

Details of the presentation and networking event, which are both free, from Sarah Pradhan on KBSinfo@kent.ac.uk.