Our director general Lesley Batchelor was invited on to BBC 5 Live with Nicky Campbell and Rachel Burden this morning which marks the start of Export Week 2014 (April 7-11) – you can hear Lesley from 1h 44 minutes into the programme.
Lesley recommended that tax breaks would be useful to any company entering new markets as a support until the first sales start coming in – as it can take up to 18 months to become established in challenging markets.
When asked by Nicky Campbell which markets exporters should be targeting, Lesley said that Africa has great potential – stressing the importance of support provided by UK Export Finance – the Government’s Export Credit Agency which has provided UK business with £4.3 billion of support in 2012/13.
The IOE is looking forward to meeting with potential and existing exporters at a showcase event aimed at helping companies to grow their businesses and devise solutions to overcome barriers and hurdles they may be facing.
Explore Support, has been jointly spearheaded by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the Manufacturing Advisory Service and Growth Accelerator.
Taking place on April 8 at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road in Birmingham, the event brings key partners, intermediaries and multipliers from across the region hosting a series of one to one meetings to offer advice and business support. They include banks, accountants, logistic organisations such as freight forwards, translation experts, business growth consultants and marketing specialists. Exhibitors include HSBC, PwC, TNT Express UK and the China-Britain Business Council.
Paul Noon, regional director West Midlands, at UKTI said: “This event is the first one of its kind we have organised and, if successful, we will roll it out across the country. Many businesses tell us how complex it is to navigate all of the support services when seeking to export, so by bringing it all under one roof we are enabling them to navigate the facilities on offer without having to make a commitment.
“As a key partner helping companies to prepare for exporting by offering them the vital training support and development they require to make inroads in international trade, the Institute of Export will play an instrumental role in the exhibition.”
James Guest from the IOE and Mike Josypenko, the IOE’s Director of Special Projects are looking forward to meeting companies and hearing about their export challenges and aspirations.
IOE Director General Lesley Batchelor said: “It has never been more critical for Britain to match the level of commitment to professionalism in international trade, training and education made by our European and worldwide counterparts. Events such as Export Support are the ideal platform for small and medium sized businesses to meet wide-ranging experts who can assist and support their respective journeys in critical areas.”
For further information or to register your interest please visit www.globaltradefair.co.uk email info@uktiwm.co.uk or call 0121 607 175.