Exporting
additional support for exporters was one of the few business benefits coming out of the Chancellor’s Autumn statement in 2016.
“You might be surprised at the level of export support available throughout the world and the passion those overseas agents have in helping you - the potential exporter”
You might be surprised at the level of export support available throughout the world and the passion those overseas agents have in helping you - the potential exporter. DIT have traditionally used the support of the commercial desk of the UK Embassies, but more recently the British Chambers of Commerce have accredited over 40 overseas Chambers from Chile to Singapore who can provide active and immediate support, whether it’s finding desk space, bank accounts, customers, agents, distributors or any other aspect of getting to grips with a new country or culture. So, if you want to make hay while the sun shines, get on with it now. The terms of trade are in your favour, the government wants you to do it and there are customers out there who don’t particularly give a damn about Brexit. It has proven unbelievably difficult to get Sussex businesses engaged in exports. DIT,
the Chambers of Commerce, local authorities, LEPs have all tried to get businesses out on wet and windy Sussex evenings to provide information and guidance on exporting, generally to little avail. There would be a better turn-out to a knitting class for construction workers! To counter the apathy, the Sussex Chamber of Commerce and DIT are supporting the Sussex International Trade Forum (SITF) to provide an informed opportunity to investigate the why’s and wherefores’ of exporting by holding events throughout the county. Great speakers and venues are being laid on to provide an honest view of what it takes to be a successful exporter, borne principally from other company’s experience and knowledge.
“There would be a better turnout to a knitting class for construction workers!” So if the UK is the limit of your ambition then fine, miss out on a great opportunity. But if not then put some time aside to do some research and find out for yourself whether exporting is an easy way to grow your business and potentially make it more profitable. Don’t let the weather put you off and you’ll receive a warm welcome from the SITF.
The SITF is chaired independently by Brett North of Elekta and is widely supported by representatives from the LEPs, Universities, businesses and the Chambers of Commerce. The 2017 plan is advertised on the Sussex Chamber of Commerce website www. sussexchamberofcommerce. co.uk and has tempting insights into different countries, regions, ways of starting out and how companies, large and small have exported - successes and failures.
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