U.K. exporters hits record levels as opportunities spike

exporting

New figures today show a record number of UK businesses interested in exporting through government-brokered opportunities, with over 20,000 responses since November.

The news comes as the government kicks off Exporting is GREAT Week.

The statistics, released by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) the government department leading Exporting is GREAT, demonstrate the huge demand for UK products and services overseas. Over 6,000 export opportunities have been showcased at exportingisgreat.gov.uk since November. This equates to 40 new opportunities every day or a new chance to export roughly every 37 minutes for UK businesses.

Opportunities have come from 109 countries and 44 different sectors, including the chance to sell tea to China or cheese to France. They also highlight a Spanish demand for our deckchairs and a Finnish thirst for British beer.

Trade and Investment Minister, Lord Price, said: “We have a proud history as a trading nation. The development of digital technology has the potential to give even the smallest company a global reach and access to attractive new markets.

“This government is committed to supporting 100,000 more UK businesses to export by 2020. Exporting is GREAT Week is the perfect time to inspire companies to take advantage of the world of opportunity out there and the global demand for British products, skills and expertise.”

The figures are revealed on the first day of Exporting is GREAT Week. Running from 18-22 April, the week sees around 90 events take place across the UK to help more first-time exporters make exporting work for them. Companies are increasingly realising the benefits of strengthening their overseas business, with new exporters making up nearly a fifth of UKTI customers.

In addition, since November, as part of a year-long roadshow around the UK, the Exporting is GREAT Export Hub, has provided close to 3,000 companies with advice and support to grow their business overseas and brought them face-to-face with live global export opportunities.

UK Export Finance can also provide financial advice for companies of all sizes. The UK’s export credit agency helps businesses to realise export opportunities through guidance from a specialist export finance adviser and through insurance and bank guarantees to support export contracts.

Over the past five years, UKEF has provided over £17 billion worth of support to British businesses – helping more than 300 businesses directly and many thousands more in their supply chains.