Asked by: Trudy Harrison (Conservative - Copeland)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he is taking to support exporters based in Cumbria.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Businesses across Cumbria have access to the full range of DIT support. International Trade Advisers from our whole North West team operate throughout the county, deployed according to the specific needs of each customer. This support is also underpinned by our full UK and global network, with DIT teams overseas, sector specialists and the Exporting is GREAT Digital Hub. UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency, can also help businesses in Cumbria win, fulfil and get paid for their overseas sales.
We encourage and help businesses to start, increase or sustain exporting activity, and this support includes 1-1 advice, trade missions, exhibitions, workshops and other activities. Additionally, free support is available to them from 92 DIT Northern Powerhouse Export Champions.
The trade needs of businesses of all sizes in Cumbria will be further addressed through the Export Strategy. This sets out how the government will support businesses to make the most of the opportunities presented by markets around the world. Launched in August 2018, we consulted with over 200 businesses to develop the Strategy, which will see DIT join up across government, with local partners and with the private sector to break down barriers to exporting. The strategy sets out how DIT will Encourage; Inform; Connect; and Finance UK businesses with the potential to export.