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Trade Promotion

Volume 468: debated on Monday 26 November 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will estimate the return per £1 spent on trade promotion by UK Trade and Investment in the latest period for which figures are available. [R] (166753)

Performance of UKTI trade services is monitored through independent surveys of UKTI clients carried out on behalf of UKTI by OMB Research, with results published quarterly.

The surveys consistently demonstrate that the services enable companies to up-grade their export capabilities, and overcome barriers to overseas markets, resulting in improved business performance.

Latest survey results show estimated total financial benefit to businesses of around £2.5 billion annually, across all UKTI trade services.

An independent evaluation of four UKTI trade services published in March 2006 found that £65 million generated benefit of some £1.13 billion—in other words £17 benefit for each £1 UKTI spend.

In 2006, an evaluation by consultants SQW of the International Trade Teams in the English regions estimated that the services they deliver produce benefit of £25 per £1 UKTI spend.