Businesses in Lancashire are being encouraged to take part in a week of events aimed at boosting exports from the region.
UK Trade & Investment – the government body set up to help increase trade abroad – has teamed up with business leaders across the country for Export Week, taking place between Monday 12 and Friday 16th November.
Export Week is a national event supported by the Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Green, as part of a drive to double UK exports to £1 trillion by 2020 and get 100,000 more companies exporting.
Countries, including Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovakia, are just two to
three hours away from the UK on budget airlines and therefore considered
ideal for forging new business relationships.
Although Lancaster Chamber of Commerce tell us they have no plans for a specific local event at present, they are aware of the initiative and offer Chamber members support and advice on export matters.
Events in Lancashire include a seminar on nine emerging markets in Central and Eastern Europe at The Pines Hotel in Chorley on Tuesday 13th November.
Other events taking place during Export Week include an International Networking opportunity in Clayton-Le-Moors with successful local exporters and business advisors from UKTI and the Chamber of Commerce, and a trip to the world’s largest event devoted to low-carbon building.
A search will also be launched for new Export Champions in the North West to inspire and mentor those businesses new to exporting, and there will be opportunities for new and novice exporters to visit one of 11 European countries for a nominal charge of £99 through UKTI’s new ‘Export Insight Visits’.
The trips will take place to Turkey (27 – 29 November), France, Germany, Spain and Italy (January 2013), Belgium, the Czech Republic and Denmark (February 2013), and Sweden, Poland and the Republic of Ireland (March 2013).
“The value of exports from North West businesses was estimated at more than £26 billion last year, providing a massive boost to the region’s economy,” notes Clive Drinkwater, UKTI’s Regional Director for the North West.
“I hope the events taking place during Export Week will encourage even more businesses and entrepreneurs to start trading abroad, and I’m sure our new Export Champions will be able to provide the expertise and support companies need.
“We’ll be providing free advice throughout the week on how exports can help businesses to grow, and the Export Insight Visits offer a low-cost way of visiting potential new markets overseas.
“Virtually any company can export its products and services – from one-man operations to large corporations employing hundreds – and there are plenty of opportunities for North West businesses to get exporting.”
The following events organised by UK Trade & Investment are taking place in Lancashire during Export Week:
Tuesday 13 November• Emerging European Markets, The Pines Hotel, Chorley, Lancashire – nine emerging markets, including Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovakia, are just two to three hours away from the UK.
Wednesday 14 November• North West trade mission to Green Build Expo, San Francisco – a trip to the world’s largest event devoted to low-carbon green building with an estimated 30,000 people expected to attend.
• North West trade mission to MEDICA 2012, Germany – a trip to meet overseas buyers and distributors at the world’s largest medical trade fair.
• International Networking, Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa, Clayton-Le-Moors, Lancashire – networking event with successful local exporters as well as representatives from UKTI and the Chamber of Commerce.
• More information on Export Week and the Export Insight Visits is available at www.exportweek.ukti.gov.uk and www.embltd.co.uk/ukti
• Businesses can also get free help and advice on how to export successfully by calling UKTI’s North West International Trade Team on 0845 603 7053
• Lancaster District Chamber of Commerce is at Trade & Industry Commerce House, Fenton Street Lancaster Tel: 0524 381331. Web: www.lancaster-chamber.org.uk