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Exports: Government Assistance

Volume 497: debated on Wednesday 14 October 2009

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what programmes to support exporters his Department has announced in the last year; and what further options to support exporters his Department is considering. (292122)

UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) is the Government organisation that helps UK-based companies to succeed in an increasingly global economy and maximise their international success.

UKTI’s trade development services for exporters aim to help develop their international trade potential and provide access to international markets. Further details on these services can be found on UKTI’s website at:

www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk

Specific examples of the help made available by UKTI in the last 12 months include the 12 March 2009 announcement of the “Gateway to Global Growth” programme to provide specialist, tailored advice and support for British companies to help them improve and extend their exporting experience, and the 2009 Budget announcement of £10 million of the Strategic Investment Fund being channelled into UKTI, to be spent on events to promote UK sector expertise both in the UK and abroad. The funds are available to help UK businesses better showcase their strengths to overseas customers and markets and form part of the Government's New Industry New Jobs strategy.

A raft of wider Government assistance for UK business has been made available through BIS in various initiatives over the past year and details can be found at:

www.businesslink.gov.uk

My noble Friend the Secretary of State for BIS announced the creation of the Advisory Panel on New Industry, New Jobs, Universities and Skills on 31 July. Looking forward, this panel will help generate ideas across the whole of the Government’s New Industry, New Jobs agenda, challenging conventional policy thinking in these areas.