Chambers of Commerce awarded £7.5m contract to boost exports

CHAMBERS of Commerce across the West Midlands have won a major Government contract worth more than £7.5m to deliver international trade services across the region.
 
The chambers will deliver the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) International Trade Services contract in the West Midlands over the next three years.

The scheme is designed to help businesses of all sizes develop their export strategies and gain access to new overseas markets.

Growing exports is seen by the Government as key to reviving the UK’s flagging economic fortunes.

Allan Matty, CEO of West Midlands Chambers of Commerce, said: “We have a strong track record of providing international trade support to businesses in the West Midlands, having delivered the programme for the past five years.”

He said there would be 31 UKTI International Trade Advisers across the region working on the contract and their experience had been key to securing the new contract.

“We believe our vast connectivity, networks and market reach, together with our past record of success helped to win the business against some tough competition,” he said.
 
“UKTI assists all types and sizes of business, and we will be encouraging more companies to export for the first time and assisting current exporters to expand into new International markets.
 
“The UKTI International Trade offering enables us to help companies with all aspects of trading overseas, including help with researching markets, exploring overseas joint ventures, visiting overseas markets and exhibitions, export documentation, language and translation services, export training and specific support from experts with detailed knowledge of different markets and sectors.”
 
Mr Matty said statistics showed only about 7,000 of the 160,000 businesses in the West Midlands with export potential were currently exporting.

UKTI is targeted nationally by the government to double the number of companies it helps each year from 50,000 to 100,000 by 2015.

“So this is a big challenge, but in collaboration with UKTI and other partners we will be reaching out to more companies and are confident we can contribute to the results the Government are looking for,” he added.
 
“One of the biggest fears businesses have when they look at exporting is a perception that their product/service is not suitable for export, the fear of not getting paid, difficulty finding customers, agents and distributors. UKTI services will help companies address all of these issues and ensure that they have the confidence and the skills to succeed in overseas markets.”