Cumbrian companies are being encouraged to compete on the global stage to help them grow their businesses and keep the region's economy buoyant.
UK Trade & Investment's International Trade Director Clive Drinkwater is visiting the region today with the message that help is available for any firm hoping to achieve their overseas ambitions, with a range of support individually tailored to meet their company's needs.
Clive will be meeting Elizabeth Smith, proprietor of Lizzie's Homemade in Penrith to discover how UKTI's Passport to Export programme and overseas market visit support helped her to achieve her first overseas orders in Canada and to hear about her ambitions for the future.
UKTI's range of support for businesses includes popular schemes such as Passport to Export, the flagship programme for new and inexperienced exporters, the Export Market Research Service (EMRS), Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) and Export Communications Reviews (ECR).
In addition, UKTI have comprehensive programme of overseas market visits and incoming trade delegations, as well as help with more ambitious projects such as setting up joint ventures with help from the Strategic Alliance Service (SAS) and a programme of International Meet the Buyer events which has so far generated over £20 million worth of business for the North West.
"There are tangible benefits to exporting, even in this difficult economic climate," says Clive. "Research commissioned by UKTI shows that companies who export tend to have higher productivity and innovation levels than non-exporters, and are 11% more likely to survive in the long term. On average firms new to international trade experience a 34% increase in productivity during the year they start exporting.
"Europe is an ideal starter market for inexperienced exporters, and following the recent strengthening of the Euro against the pound British products are even more attractive, offering real opportunities for Cumbrian businesses who wish to export close to home.
"Firms that export have a relatively higher capacity to value, assimilate and apply new knowledge, with increasing foreign competition forcing firms to become more efficient and innovative."
Last year the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) announced funding worth £4.9 million over three years to back UKTI as it helps the region's businesses compete on the global stage, with a range of services delivered by the UKTI North West International Trade team.
Specific business support available only in Cumbria includes a drop in centre at the Innovation Centre on West Lakes Science Park in Whitehaven on the last Thursday of every month, a hot desk manned by a UKTI International Trade Adviser at Sellafield Business Centre, and an Export Road show offering presentations and advice on export related matters which is being organised in conjunction with HSBC and Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and will take in 5 towns in Cumbria during the autumn.
Clive Drinkwater adds, "While the percentage of Cumbrian businesses using UKTI services in the North West equates to the percentage of businesses overall, we want to be sure that all businesses in Cumbria are aware of the services and funding available.
"Many people believe that only big companies with large turnovers can export, but the sheer range of companies we assist in the North West - from engineering firms negotiating huge overseas orders to small independent food producers exporting quality local produce - demonstrates that there is help available for businesses at every level.
"Cumbria is particularly strong in the food and drink, energy, manufacturing and ICT sectors, and West Cumbria in particular is renowned as a centre for excellence is the nuclear industry and we want to continue to help the region thrive.
"We have five dedicated International Trade Advisers in Cumbria, offering professional help with all aspects of international trade, all of whom live in the region and are familiar with the particular challenges that Cumbria businesses face, and we urge any businesses - from small firms hoping to secure their first export order to large hi-tech companies looking to form strategic business alliances - to get in touch."
For further information on UK Trade & Investment services, contact the North West International Trade Team Tel: 0845 603 7053 E-mail: info@uktinorthwest.co.uk
