Prime Minister David Cameron urged Dorset businesses to help drive economic growth through international trade when he visited the county.
More than 80 members of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) were exclusively invited to the event at the Magna Academy in Poole.
Mr Cameron announced a groundbreaking housing scheme for first time buyers and also vowed to press on to cut the deficit when he gave a keynote speak to the 120-strong audience.
DCCI, the voice of business in Dorset, helped to stage the visit with Number 10 and Poole MP Robert Syms.
DCCI chief executive Ian Girling gave the closing speech to thank Mr Cameron for coming to Dorset.
Mr Cameron also personally urged Mr Girling to make sure the Chamber played a key role in international trade in Dorset to help drive further economic growth.
Mr Girling said: “It was a privilege and honour to welcome Mr Cameron to Dorset.
“He was able to listen to the concerns of our members and also tell us about his plans for the economy.
“I told Mr Cameron about the progress at the Chamber over the past year and of our new five year plan for the future to move business forward.
“He said that international trade was a key for growth and that the Dorset Chamber had a major role to play.”
Mr Girling added: “This was a great opportunity to directly showcase to the PM the fantastic businesses we have in Dorset and assure him that we are confident of playing our part in driving the economy ahead.”
When questioned by DCCI council chairman Chris Slocock, Mr Cameron also highlighted how government is helping small and medium sized businesses and how it is looking at what more it can do in this area.
The PM met the DCCI staff at its new stand and colours before delivering his keynote speech.
New plans outlined by the PM included a scheme to offer 100,000 first-time buyers new homes with a 20% discount to help more people onto the housing ladder.
Plans to wipe out the deficit by the end of the next Parliament were also highlighted with Mr Cameron vowing to ‘fix the roof while the sun was shining’ and announcing the publication of a new Charter for Budget Responsibility to enshrine the commitment to get debt falling.
Pupils and local dignitaries were also among the audience in the school hall.
The visit came at the end of a successful year for DCCI – which has more than 700 members representing more than 37,000 employees – which has seen expansion, modernisation and the launch of new services.
DCCI’s International Trade Services department was relaunched earlier in the year to recognise its wide remit and importance of exports in Dorset.
