IT IS Global Entrepreneurship Week, an initiative involving 104 countries promoting business start-ups and celebrating the teams behind them.

And to coincide, the Government is re-launching Business Link's online presence to provide enhanced services for new businesses.

All this comes within just a few days of announcements by the Prime Minister and Business Secretary launching Exporting for Growth and Finance Fitness respectively.

It's welcome that Mr Cameron is throwing his political weight behind initiatives to promote ever greater exports by the UK. The Journal and NECC have been making the same point through our Go Global campaign.

Rebalancing the UK's economy has much to do with addressing our trade deficit – a long-term challenge – and in the North East we have much to shout about.

Vince Cable's focus on the financial viability of our country's enterprises is similarly welcome, especially when raising external finance remains such a challenge.

But, and it is a big but, these announcements come at time when the mechanisms that have supported North East businesses are retracting.

The regional Business Link service closes its doors on November 25 and with it the face-to-face and grant support that has been a hallmark of the service for more than 10 years.

These changes will see the vast majority of businesses accessing support online or through their own networks. Only a very small number will have the opportunity to tap into the Business Coaching for Growth programme.

I think we all understand why these changes are necessary. The public finances are stretched and the wisdom of supporting businesses through grants and 'free' advice when there is a professional advisory network is always open to challenge.

As the environment changes it will be for that advisory community and organisations like my own to make sure that entrepreneurs and business managers can find the support, advice and resources they need for their businesses to prosper.

:: Andrew Sugden is membership and policy director for the North East Chamber of Commerce