Government 's new export strategy is a 'welcome commitment' to businesses - Chamber

The Government has published its new export strategy - 'Made in the UK, Sold to the World ' - to help the UK double its exports to £1 trillion and sell products around the world.

The Department for International Trade 's 12-point plan includes:

• An Export Support Service to provide advice to those businesses hoping to export to Europe
• An expansion of the UK Export Academy to teach SMEs across the country how to navigate the technicalities of exporting and how to find new opportunities in overseas markets
• A new UK Tradeshow Programme to give UK companies - especially SMEs - the opportunity to exhibit their world-class products at the world 's biggest tradeshows
• An expansion of UK Export Finance - the Government 's export credit agency - to provide new products and a wider delivery network to make it easier for UK exports to secure business from overseas buyers
• Exports Champions will ensure that businesses can build and learn from exporting successes through networking and peer-to-peer learning
• The Internationalisation Fund - open to SMEs in England - will aim to grow international sales

Mandy Haque (pictured), international director at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Government 's new 12-point plan is a welcome commitment to businesses throughout the country that are looking to recover and grow after a challenging two years. It 's crucial that businesses across Greater Birmingham have access to fast-growing export markets and are supported at every stage as they seek to benefit from untapped opportunities around the globe.

“Though the West Midlands exported nearly £13 billion worth of goods in the first three quarters of 2021, early analysis from our latest Quarterly Business Report indicates that local businesses remain concerned about the growing complexity of international trading. As such, the new 'Made in the UK, Sold to the World ' strategy could not have come at a better time for those seeking to launch into international markets.

“However, with local firms facing considerable cost pressures and continuing to suffer from supply chain issues, we would still like to see more tangible deliverables from the Government 's strategy to address the trading difficulties that businesses have been experiencing since the end of the transition period.

“The new export strategy is an encouraging step towards helping businesses in Greater Birmingham and what would now enhance the delivery of the strategy is clearer detail about how local businesses can maximise their export potential on the global stage. ”

Click here to complete our Quarterly Business Report survey.

Click here to read the Government 's new export strategy.

Click here to contact international trade advisers at the GBCC