Businesses gathered to network and showcase their services at the East London Expo 2013.

Romford Recorder: Photography students fom Havering College.Photography students fom Havering College. (Image: Archant)

The event saw around 50 companies and organisations hold stalls at Barking Rugby Club, in Gale Street, Dagenham on Wednesday.

There were also business seminars throughout the day with high profile speakers, a chance to meet business mentors and an evening networking session.

Visitors included Barking and Dagenham Mayor Cllr Hardial Singh Rai and Romford MP Andrew Rosindell.

Among those exhibiting were Ceme, Barking and Dagenham College, Metro Bank, London City and Airport Wincanton Records Management.

Sominder Panesar, director of Prontaprint Barking, said: “An event like this is a brilliant idea. You need more trade between local businesses and the expo is a good way of encouraging this.

“It’s also gives businesses the opportunity to showcase their services in a way they might not otherwise have the chance to.”

One of the organisers of the event was the Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce.

Mary Clements, events marketing managers at the commerce said: “It was a very positive day and showed how many fantastic businesses we have on our doorstep.

Archant, publishers of the Post, were media partners.

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