Export Support for SMEs – where to look
The idea of branching out into exports can be daunting for SMEs – even after business owners have got past the (mis-guided) notion that exports are the preserve of large companies, accessing help and support is not always easy. In May this year, as part of Export Week, UKTI launched the First Time Exporters initiative – so what’s it all about?
The First Time Exporters initiative is a support package for first time exporters. Announced by Francis Maude, Minister for Trade and Investment, the objective is to provide training, logistical support and advice for businesses looking to export for the first time. Maude said he hoped the initiative would “encourage more companies to take their first steps on the export journey and take advantage of the demand for British goods and services that exists overseas”. He went on to say that 2014 saw 48,000 companies draw on UKTI support and those businesses went on to create or safeguard 220,440 jobs. He urged businesses of all sizes to use the opportunity to find out more about the services that are available to them through UKTI, regardless of their level of exporting experience”.
The initiative offered the following benefits:
- 100 new International Trade Advisors to provide new or inexperienced exporters with training, planning and support to grow their business overseas
- Export Savvy – online tool offering 6 training modules on the basics of exporting
- Export Insight Visits – trade missions that are part education part business
- Digital Advisers – to help first time exporters to access digital markets
- Great British Store – a website providing an online market place for innovative UK producers to showcase their products to buyers in overseas markets.
We’ll be taking a closer look at what’s on offer over the coming weeks and checking on the impact of the initiative.
Whilst UKTI offer free advice to companies and say that, on average, companies earn £100k in additional sales within 18 months of working with them, comments on their twitter page suggest they are not always helpful for start ups. One business claimed they had been told to come back when they were making money, by which time they anticipated they probably wouldn’t need help. Another complained they had been waiting 5 months for a reply. It is to be hoped that the new initiative results in an improved service.
However, for those businesses who don’t have the time or the resources to take up this kind of export support or take advantage of the training and opportunities offered by this initiative, there is another way to get into exports. Linking up with a company like Kazopp, which already has established links and contacts abroad, means products/services of UK SMEs can be delivered to potential export markets quickly and efficiently.
To find out more about this fast track to export sales, get in touch.
For further information on UKTI’s First Time Exporters initiative click on the following link http://www.growthbusiness.co.uk/news-and-market-deals/business-news/2485046/ukti-launches-support-package-for-first-time-exporters.thtml#sthash.73O0Z93Z.dpuf