We're here to help region's companies

Oct 22 2009 by David Coppock, The Journal

David Coppock is international trade director, UK Trade & Investment

THERE is no doubt the economic downturn has had a significant impact on the North East economy, but despite a fall in exports in recent months there has been growth in several key sectors and markets.

Although we do well in international trade, the actual number of North East companies that export is relatively small and most of our overseas earnings come from just a few industries such as automotive, chemical, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

At UKTI we want to encourage more companies to take up the export challenge, widen the range of goods and services that are exported and broaden the number of markets in which they are involved.

North East companies have a lot to offer and we're here to help them every step of the way – whatever the size of the company, whether they are a novice or experienced exporter and whatever their product or service.

Our dedicated international trade advisers work with a company to develop and implement a realistic and achievable export plan.

They can then help companies access the wide range of support services available through UK Trade & Investment, such as OMIS – the Overseas Market Introduction Service – where a company can be put directly in touch with our staff in more than 100 countries, each with the expert knowledge of that market.

We also organise a comprehensive programme of market visits giving companies the chance to explore a market as part of a UK Trade & Investment delegation.

And more recently, Gateway to Global Growth – a national initiative targeting companies with two to 10 years experience in exporting – was launched and already more than 30 North East companies have benefited.

Research has shown that companies involved in overseas trade were on average larger, more productive, pay higher wages and use more capital-intensive production methods than non-exporting rivals.

Through international trade companies can increase turnover and profitability, utilise spare capacity and spread business risk. UK Trade & Investment can be the key to unlocking new overseas markets for both experienced and novice exporters.

While we recognise that demand has softened globally, there will be a recovery at some point. It can take 12 months or more to effectively research and develop a new market so we urge companies to start this work now to be in a position to take advantage of the upturn.

North East companies can, and do, succeed on an international stage and we would urge them to get in touch to find out how we can help them realise their exporting potential – it couldn't be easier, just call the North East International Trade Hotline on 0845 05 05 054.