UKTI offers advice to UK SMEs thinking of entering export markets. Image courtesy of: Javier Gonzalez/rgbstock.com
Exporting businesses in the East of England can now access three new benefits as part of the Gateway to Global Growth programme to help them develop additional overseas markets.
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is working with
Cranfield School of Management to deliver Export Growth modules to companies selected for the Gateway programme. Sessions will cover business strategy, economics, market entry,
finance and
intellectual property rights.
Master classes on ‘Challenging Markets’ delivered by UK based and international experts - up to six classes covering the “how to” of market entry will also be available with Brazil on June 20 and China on July 12 being the first two of the series this year.
And a free, twelve-month subscription to a tailored public tender alert service will enable businesses to access new business opportunities from around the globe from their own inbox.
Liz Basing, Regional Director for UKTI East, said: “In difficult economic times it is more vital than ever for businesses in our region to export.
“Last year, the total value of exports from the East of England was £27.47 billion, 9.3 percent of the UK total and a rise of 12.2 percent compared with the equivalent period the year before. So we are certainly playing our part as a region. But we still need more companies, big and small, to take up the export challenge.
“There is help and advice available out there for businesses to develop exporting strategies and achieve their export goals. At UKTI we offer a whole host of services tailored to our client companies’ individual needs, especially when it comes to targeting markets further afield such as the BRIC countries (
Brazil,
Russia,
India and
China), the Middle East and South East Asia.
“Our Gateway to Global Growth programme has been designed to help East of England exporters stay ahead of the game and strengthen their performance by reviewing existing export activities and targeting new markets. It provides world-class training, personalised one-to-one advice, access to international experts, new business opportunities and an unrivalled chance to maximise a company’s overseas activities over a twelve-month period – a great value package!”
Other benefits of
Gateway to Global Growth include six days of support from an experienced International Trade Adviser who will help a business assess its goals and review its strategy to make the most of every exporting opportunity around.
Dr Bruce Johnstone, lecturer in entrepreneurship at Cranfield School of Management, commented: “We are delighted to be working with UKTI East to deliver these Export Growth modules for owner-managers of SMEs. The Export Growth modules will draw on the highly successful approach used in Cranfield’s Business Growth & Development Programme (BGP) which is the UK’s longest running and most successful programme for the development of owner-managers.”
And further UKTI export services are still available, including:
- Passport to Export – provides the keys to unlocking international markets for new exporters through training, planning advice and ongoing support
- Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) – unequalled access to market and industry intelligence through a network of market-based experts
- Trade Missions – regular opportunities for face-to-face contact with prospective international partners within their markets
- Funding for overseas visits and events – help for eligible companies towards the cost of attending trade shows or visiting potential overseas partners.
For more information on Gateway to Global Growth and all UKTI’s services to businesses in the East of England, visit
www.ukti.gov.uk or call 0845 641 9955.