Rail Forum and UKTI announce partnership
A group representing the East Midlands rail supply industry has joined forces with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) to inspire more companies working in the sector to export their products and services overseas.
Rail Forum East Midlands (RFEM) will team up with UKTI for a series of initiatives to support SMEs who are keen to succeed in new markets around the globe – capitalising on the region’s international reputation as a major centre of rail excellence.
RFEM, a not-for-profit organisation which represents more than 170 rail supply chain businesses across the region, will work with the international trade team at UKTI East Midlands to identify new opportunities and share knowledge and expertise.
RFEM members will be invited to workshops to share feedback about their exporting experiences, discuss any challenges they are facing and find out more about the additional support available at UKTI.
In addition, the forum will be working with UKTI to promote the East Midlands at Innotrans, the largest railway trade fair in the world – which will be held in Berlin on 20-23 September, 2016.
Michelle Craven Faulkner, vice chair of RFEM said: “We are delighted to announce that the Rail Forum has entered a collaboration agreement with UKTI.
“This will enable RFEM to draw on UKTI’s wide ranging skills and experience to support our members as they seek to develop both new and existing export markets.
“This shows how industry and government can work together to drive exports and grow jobs. It is also recognition of the rail sector’s key role in making the Midlands an Engine for Growth.”
Ian Harrison, UKTI regional director for the East Midlands, added: “It is generally acknowledged that the East Midlands is the most important region in the UK when it comes to rail, particularly Derby.
“We know there are many smaller suppliers here that could find excellent new markets in countries around the world and we are really keen to work with RFEM to highlight the global opportunities available, especially for SMEs.
“UKTI has already appointed a dedicated international trade adviser to specialise in the rail sector because we know how important it is to this region.
“Alongside the Government’s ongoing Exporting is GREAT initiative – which is seeking to inspire and support 100,000 additional UK exporters to sell their goods and services overseas by 2020 – we hope this new partnership with RFEM will assist rail companies at every stage of their exporting journey, from identifying real-time opportunities to winning contracts overseas.”
