Small companies within the North East of England are getting ready to showcase their services and products to consumers from throughout the globe, as the federal government’s “Made in the UK, Sold to the World” export roadshow kicks off this week in Blyth, Northumberland.
The occasion, the primary of eight deliberate throughout the UK, will see almost 100 consumers from 19 abroad markets—together with South Korea, Mexico, India, Poland and Germany—meet with British exporters, with a selected give attention to clear power corporations. The roadshow collection can even go to Belfast, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Cardiff, and goals to attach small companies with worldwide markets extra rapidly and successfully.
Gareth Thomas, minister for providers, small companies and exports, mentioned: “Through these roadshows, the government is focusing on supporting key growth sectors, making it quicker and easier for smaller businesses to connect with markets, grasp export opportunities and expand.”
Every roadshow will give attention to a unique sector, with upcoming occasions devoted to superior manufacturing, life sciences, and monetary providers. In Blyth, alongside the worldwide consumers, 30 industrial officers from UK embassies and consulates might be readily available to supply recommendation and facilitate connections freed from cost.
Amongst these attending is Alex Marshall, group enterprise improvement director at Clarke Vitality, a producer of gas-powered energy turbines. Marshall, who additionally serves as an export champion for the federal government, welcomed the initiative: “The event is an excellent place to discuss the latest international trends and export opportunities for UK businesses in the clean energy sector.”
Along with direct conferences, the roadshows will embrace workshops and seminars led by the government-backed UK Export Academy, providing sensible steerage on areas resembling market analysis and routes to market.
Regardless of sturdy authorities assist, latest figures counsel that small companies nonetheless face challenges in terms of exporting. A 2024 examine by the Division for Enterprise & Commerce discovered that solely 18 per cent of companies with revenues over £500,000 thought of themselves specialists in exporting final 12 months, down from 24 per cent the earlier 12 months.
Exporters fascinated with collaborating in upcoming roadshows can register their curiosity by means of the Division for Enterprise & Commerce’s official web site.
