Package available to suit all

Jan 28 2010 By The Journal

UK Trade & Investment is the Government organisation that provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade and foreign enterprises seeking to locate in the UK.

It brings together the work of teams in British Embassies and posts around the world and Government departments across Whitehall.

In the North East companies can access support from a dedicated team of international trade advisers who are on hand to work closely with individual companies to prepare and implement an export plan and help them access the wide range of support services UK Trade & Investment offers. These include:

Passport to Export – offers a comprehensive programme of support and advice that is tailor-made to suit each individual company’s needs, including financial support of up to £4,500 towards eligible activities.

Gateway to Global Growth (G3) – focuses on the needs of companies with two to 10 years’ experience in exporting and follows the successful format of "Passport" whereby an international trade adviser works with the company to conduct an international business review and helps develop a strategic action plan.

Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) – a flexible service that can be tailored to offer a range of support from researching the market and highlighting potential business contacts to guidance on technical standards, labelling and packaging requirements.

It offers 10 levels of service, built around the typical requirements of a business making its first steps into a new market, all providing a flexible blend of preparatory advice and research as well as support when a company visits the market. Prices vary depending on the level of service required.

The overseas experts will propose a programme of support and advice that meets a company’s individual needs. This could include an analysis of possible market entry strategies, identification of possible business partners and preliminary discussions with them on the company’s behalf. Staff can also identify potential customers and contacts to meet during a visit to the target market.

Research would highlight local conditions and may include advice on competitors, local regulations and standards relating to the company’s products or services. Staff can also assist with introductions to translators or interpreters, offer advice and assistance with publicity in the target market, help organise events and set up key appointments or find relevant tender opportunities.

China Programme – offers specialist support to companies seeking to do business in China and offers a central resource to co-ordinate and identify the best help available to enable companies achieve their aims. Covers mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Research and Development Service (R&D) – a specialist service to help technology companies use their R&D know-how to enter overseas markets. Run in collaboration with RTC North Ltd, it is of particular interest to companies hoping to establish subsidiaries or joint ventures in countries outside the European Union.

Market Visits – each year an extensive programme of Market Visits is organised offering companies the chance to visit a market as part of a delegation with the support of an experienced international trade adviser. Includes briefings with overseas staff both before and during the visit and comprehensive support from the international trade adviser before, during and after the visit.