Oral Answers to Questions

Andy Carter Excerpts

Thursday 2nd December 2021 Commons Chamber

[James Wild (North West Norfolk) (Con)]

3. What steps her Department is taking to increase British exports.

[Andy Carter (Warrington South) (Con)]

5. What steps her Department is taking to increase British exports.

[Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con)]

9. What steps her Department is taking to increase British exports.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mike Freer]

I welcome ABP’s investment in King’s Lynn and was glad to hear of the new Vancouver timber terminal, which I understand will open on Monday, representing £1.4 million of investment. With 95% of the UK’s trade facilitated by the maritime sector, our ports are integral to UK trade and to the success of our Made in Britain, Sold to the World strategy.

[Andy Carter]

I am sure that the Minister, like me, has been incredibly impressed by the small and medium-sized businesses that are looking to export to new markets. What support is available for a business such as N’Genius, which is based in my Warrington South constituency and has patented a new high-strength stainless steel that can revolutionise engineering and construction? How can this Government help it export that UK innovation to the rest of the world?

[Mike Freer]

Our new export strategy is a 12-point plan focused on tackling the barriers to trade faced by SMEs. We are opening markets and supporting companies through the export support service, which provides a single point of entry to DIT support for SMEs. This new service will direct businesses to services such as those provided by UK Export Finance, the UK Export Academy and our pilot UK trade show programme. I am happy to connect N’Genius to one of our international trade advisers for further assistance.