UK Trade and Investment

Export

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the Government organisation that supports both companies in the UK trading internationally, and overseas enterprises seeking to locate in the UK. UKTI is an international organisation with headquarters in London and Glasgow. Across its network UKTI employs around 2,500 staff and advisers in UK embassies, in posts overseas, and in the nine English regions.

Practical Help & Advice

A wide range of assistance is available to companies and, in some cases, financial support may be accessed, for example, UKTI’s Passport to Export programme offers support and advice to small and medium–sized companies new to exporting. The overall aim is to help companies adopt a focused approach to break into new overseas markets or develop existing business.

Assistance for Exhibitions and Trade Missions

Taking part in overseas events such as trade fairs or missions is an effective way to test markets, attract customers, appoint agents or distributors and make sales.

UK Trade & Investment helps to arrange groups of UK companies to attend a comprehensive choice of tradeshows worldwide, or take part in the British trade missions that visit overseas markets each year.

Travelling as a group with other UK businesses you will get advice to help prepare for your visit before you go as well as support from trade development staff on the ground. You may also be able to network with key market contacts in the impressive surroundings of UK embassies, high commissions and consulates.

UKTI's Trade Show Access Programme provides:

• Grant support for eligible SMEs to exhibit at trade shows overseas
• A chance to travel and exhibit as part of a group, led by an Accredited Trade Association
• Raised profile at key exhibitions due to ATO/UKTI backing
• Possible participation on independent ("solo") basis

UKTI Trade Missions can also be commissioned via UKTI's Overseas Markets Introduction Service (OMIS) These can include the following activities;

• Pre-visit briefing and one-to-one mentoring with our overseas teams
• Appointment making with selected contacts or business partners
• Accompanying to meetings to help with translation, business etiquette and culture
• Specially organised bespoke receptions, meetings and seminars where you can present your products and services

Northwest Exports 2008 - A Regional Analysis

Food and drink exports from the North West region have increased almost 11% in 2008 versus 2007, raising the total value to nearly £916m. Strong growth of 27% in the leading prepared cereals (bakery products) category allowed the overall total to grow, as the next 4 largest categories have all declined, with a significant 27% drop in dairy exports. The rebounding meat sector, up 55%, and a strong performance from beverages, up 64%, also contributed to overall growth.

In 2008, the Irish Republic ranked as the first food and drink export market for the North West region, up 16% and worth £200m. France, up 16% to £106m, leapfrogged Germany into second place. The top 10 export markets accounted for 78% of export value in 2008. The North West accounted for 7% of total UK food and drink exports in the full year 2008, making it the UK’s 4th largest food and drink exporting region behind Scotland, London and the South East.

The full report of the export figures for 2008 can be viewed by clicking the link below;

Food Northwest Regional Export Analysis 2008   
UK Food and Drink Export Performance 2009  

For further information UKTI please contact;

Jayne Hunt

International Trade Manager

jayne.hunt@uktinorthwest.co.uk  

Tel: 0845 603 7053

Details of forthcoming international events can be found below;