Working in partnership with Trade Associations to get more SMEs exporting.
I am delighted to announce today 99 UKTI Trade Challenge Partners have committed to working in partnership with UKTI to support more SMEs to export. My purpose as Managing Director for Trade Development in UKTI is to get more UK SMEs doing business overseas and to support those that do export, to increase their volume of international trade – and our Trade Challenge Partner initiative is an important part of this work.
The UKTI Trade Challenge Partners are drawn from Trade Associations and other membership organisations focused on overseas trade. They represent virtually all sectors of the UK economy and have extensive knowledge of their industry. The collective membership of these Partners is around 70,000, and on average they estimate that 40% of their Members are already doing business internationally and a further 20% have the potential to do so – equivalent to 14,500 more UK exporters.
In addition to the activities these Partners already run, they have made a range of commitments in support of driving UK exports, for example: proactively supporting UKTI’s Business Opportunities service; interacting with UK exporters on Open to Export and supporting UKTI’s webinar programme (due to be launched soon). Many of these Partners also support UK SMEs through the delivery of UKTI’s overseas trade shows, events and missions programmes – these are vital ways in which we help SMEs overseas.
Currently only 23% UK SMEs export*. Research with UKTI's customers has shown that exporting benefits companies in many ways: from increased sales growth and profitability to more resilience and credibility.
Look out for my next blog which will focus on ways UKTI is improving existing services and developing new ones in support of the National Challenge to increase the number of SMEs exporting.
* according to the Small Business Survey (source: BIS Economics Paper No.17).
24 comments
Comment by John Smee posted on
Exporting to Iran
We understand that now UK/EU countries can buy crude oil from Iran. Is this correct and if so can we in UK now look to promote some exports to Iran, specifically luxury cars manufactured in UK such as Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar, Range Rover etc Presumably Export Licences would still be required?
Comment by Richard Thiele posted on
Congratulations to all the Trade Challenge Partners on signing up to capitalise on the already good work achieved in smoothing the path of UK SME's towards export markets. Whether business is good or bad in the home market, working towards export is a vital way to increase the profitability and durability of any company. This leadership in helping to support SME's is a great initiative.
Comment by IAN WYLIE posted on
You might be interested in this export endeavour.
Water stress is a major issue in a growing number of countries, mostly in S-E Europe, the M-E, and South/East Asia - both new sources and the treatment of waste water to generate renewables - water and energy. A huge and unique commercial as well as beneficial opportunity. I am CE of a company, Trevenning Water, founded specifically to install affordable improved treatment plants to meet the individual needs of communities in these countries, which are considerably more efficient than conventional "plants". We have discussed our approach with UKTI commercial staff in the consulates of these (selected) countries. They are now waiting for us to secure initial funding to launch our approach, but such funding is proving hard to secure.
Comment by Les Parfitt posted on
The closer links with the trade associations will definitely help UK companies and it would also help if UKTI was to form stronger links with in-market service providers. Whilst the OMIS service is an excellent introductory service, many UK companies then struggle with the next step when they need to find in market support to help them recruit local sales agents, distributors, legal assistance and business property rental locations. My company has successfully helped many UK SME companies to take this next step by providing low cost on the ground support in the market.
Les Parfitt, TMG Advisory (UK)
Comment by Gareth Pollit posted on
We agree with your comments and have established our organisation on the ground in Durban to assist SME's overcome these difficulties in the South and Southern African market place .
If you wish to explore possibilities and if South and Southern Africa is in your sights please visit our web site. We aim to assist SME's looking at this part of the world where operating and integrating within the local culture and market can be daunting without local assistance.
Comment by Les Parfitt posted on
The closer links with the trade associations will definitely help UK companies and it would also help if UKTI was to form stronger links with in-market service providers. Whilst the OMIS service is an excellent introductory service, many UK companies then struggle with the next step when they need to find in market support to help them recruit local sales agents, distributors, legal assistance and business property rental locations. My company has successfully helped many UK SME companies to take this next step by providing low cost on the ground support in the market.
Les Parfitt, TMG Advisory (UK)
Comment by Gareth Pollit posted on
We agree with your comments and have established our organisation on the ground in Durban to assist SME's overcome these difficulties in the South and Southern African market place .
If you wish to explore possibilities and if South and Southern Africa is in your sights please visit our web site. We aim to assist SME's looking at this part of the world where operating and integrating within the local culture and market can be daunting without local assistance.
Comment by Les Parfitt posted on
The closer links with the trade associations will definitely help UK companies and it would also help if UKTI was to form stronger links with in-market service providers. Whilst the OMIS service is an excellent introductory service, many UK companies then struggle with the next step when they need to find in market support to help them recruit local sales agents, distributors, legal assistance and business property rental locations. My company has successfully helped many UK SME companies to take this next step by providing low cost on the ground support in the market.
Les Parfitt, TMG Advisory (UK)
Comment by Gareth Pollit posted on
We agree with your comments and have established our organisation on the ground in Durban to assist SME's overcome these difficulties in the South and Southern African market place .
If you wish to explore possibilities and if South and Southern Africa is in your sights please visit our web site. We aim to assist SME's looking at this part of the world where operating and integrating within the local culture and market can be daunting without local assistance.
Comment by Mike Pedersen posted on
Norway2UK is on target to take between 50 and 75 UK companies to Norway on highly specialised missions. Good for exports - no cost to the taxpayer!
Comment by Mike Pedersen posted on
Norway2UK is on target to take between 50 and 75 UK companies to Norway on highly specialised missions. Good for exports - no cost to the taxpayer!
Comment by John Leigh posted on
Exporting to Iran??, what about the emborgo?
Comment by Neil Wood posted on
Useful and interesting. SME's are a major initiative here in the MENA region. We run an event called Arabian Gateway which helps exporting companies understand the ways to establish a business in the UAE. We are not a trade licence business, but an organiser, so we're happy to help people interested (see website for more details).
UKTI are important in promotions, although real commercial contacts and contracts are the key. The cost of starting the process is remakably small in reality, and can be taken step-by-step, but getting a trade licence with associated visa and accounts etc is a small fee in reality. Arabian Gateway brings experts to the UK and then you come back to the UAE to gain a greater depth of knowledge. It's in conjunction with companies such as Thomson Reuters and the various trade departments at UAE government and Chambers, so we think offers directors a good entry point into growth of a 400m+ market.
We look forward to being able to help.
Comment by Neil Wood posted on
Useful and interesting. SME's are a major initiative here in the MENA region. We run an event called Arabian Gateway which helps exporting companies understand the ways to establish a business in the UAE. We are not a trade licence business, but an organiser, so we're happy to help people interested (see website for more details).
UKTI are important in promotions, although real commercial contacts and contracts are the key. The cost of starting the process is remakably small in reality, and can be taken step-by-step, but getting a trade licence with associated visa and accounts etc is a small fee in reality. Arabian Gateway brings experts to the UK and then you come back to the UAE to gain a greater depth of knowledge. It's in conjunction with companies such as Thomson Reuters and the various trade departments at UAE government and Chambers, so we think offers directors a good entry point into growth of a 400m+ market.
We look forward to being able to help.
Comment by Neil Wood posted on
Useful and interesting. SME's are a major initiative here in the MENA region. We run an event called Arabian Gateway which helps exporting companies understand the ways to establish a business in the UAE. We are not a trade licence business, but an organiser, so we're happy to help people interested (see website for more details).
UKTI are important in promotions, although real commercial contacts and contracts are the key. The cost of starting the process is remakably small in reality, and can be taken step-by-step, but getting a trade licence with associated visa and accounts etc is a small fee in reality. Arabian Gateway brings experts to the UK and then you come back to the UAE to gain a greater depth of knowledge. It's in conjunction with companies such as Thomson Reuters and the various trade departments at UAE government and Chambers, so we think offers directors a good entry point into growth of a 400m+ market.
We look forward to being able to help.
Comment by Jaqui Fairfax posted on
Would love to put together a series of export events for SMEs in Fenland. Who is best to talk to about this?
Comment by ukti-admin posted on
Hi Jacquie
Best to contact your local UKTI International Trade Office, presuming that you're in the East of England?
UKTI East
Tel: 0845 641 9955
Email: info@uktieast.org.uk
Comment by Jaqui Fairfax posted on
Would love to put together a series of export events for SMEs in Fenland. Who is best to talk to about this?
Comment by ukti-admin posted on
Hi Jacquie
Best to contact your local UKTI International Trade Office, presuming that you're in the East of England?
UKTI East
Tel: 0845 641 9955
Email: info@uktieast.org.uk
Comment by Jaqui Fairfax posted on
Would love to put together a series of export events for SMEs in Fenland. Who is best to talk to about this?
Comment by ukti-admin posted on
Hi Jacquie
Best to contact your local UKTI International Trade Office, presuming that you're in the East of England?
UKTI East
Tel: 0845 641 9955
Email: info@uktieast.org.uk
Comment by Barnet Locksmiths, Unique Services posted on
This sounds good,
But I wonder how practical it is, especially for a business like mine!
Tony
Comment by Barnet Locksmiths, Unique Services posted on
This sounds good,
But I wonder how practical it is, especially for a business like mine!
Tony
Comment by Barnet Locksmiths, Unique Services posted on
This sounds good,
But I wonder how practical it is, especially for a business like mine!
Tony