Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he plans to take to ensure that local businesses in (a) the UK and (b) Northampton have appropriate information to enable them better to access global markets.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) runs the Exporting is GREAT campaign, designed to significantly increase exports by inspiring and supporting UK companies to take advantage of the global appetite for UK products, skills and expertise in markets around the world. The Department’s export hub roadshow travels throughout the UK providing face to face export advice and guidance to businesses; indeed it visited Northamptonshire in April and 17 companies attended.

This Department also provides digital services for all businesses including access to live Export Opportunities around the globe and webinars on exporting, both accessible through the Exporting is GREAT website, exportingisgreat.gov.uk/. Businesses also have access to DIT’s sector and market focussed campaigns and tailored advice and support through the Department’s network of international trade advisors. They will have the opportunity to promote their products on the new Export Directory which DIT is launching in November, alongside other new digital services.

Northamptonshire companies have also benefitted from recent events being held on how to access global markets such as China, India and Iran. Seminars in Northamptonshire have informed companies on issues such as managing agents and distributors, e-commerce and international web optimisation, amongst others.

This information is not only accessible in England but also in the rest of the UK through DIT working closely with the devolved administrations’ own export promotion organisations.