Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the advice provided by trade experts in her Department to UK businesses.
International Trade Advisors (ITAs) help businesses to identify target export markets, conduct research, test market readiness and find solutions to barriers to entry. ITAs undergo a broad range of appropriate training and have access to clear lines on government policy to ensure they provide businesses with timely and accurate advice on exporting. The Department conducts an independent annual survey with approximately 6000 businesses. Of the businesses that used the ITA service between April 2018 and March 2019, 76% were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’, 84% rated staff knowledge positively and 67% said the service was good at meeting their needs.