Liverpool City Region targets £11.8bn of exports by 2030

Liverpool City Region has launched an export plan, with aims to boost exports to £11.8bn by 2030.

Growth Platform: Liverpool City Region Growth Company is behind the overseas trade push which coincides with International Trade Week, running until November 4.

The plan is in partnership with Growth Platform, local Chambers of Commerce – Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens and Wirral – the Department of International Trade, and other regional partners including Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, and councils across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool Sefton, Wirral, and St Helens.

The region’s current exports total of £8.5bn in goods and services presents a great platform to grow by 2030. Liverpool City Region aims to meet the Government’s target of £11.8bn.

The Liverpool City Region benefits from some fantastic logistics export enablers including the airport, the proposed Freeport, and the Port of Liverpool, which offers direct access to Europe, the USA, and the Far East.

Liverpool City Region businesses already export to more than 100 different countries. As an Atlantic-facing port city, the US is by far the region’s largest trading partner accounting for £1.1bn-worth of exports, with the next largest market being Germany at £468m, and China at £351m.

With a strong exporting profile within the automotive, manufacturing and chemical industries there are also significant future opportunities within the advanced manufacturing and health and life sciences sectors, including pharmaceutical and infection control.

The export plan outlines how ambitious businesses in the region can seize the opportunity to grow their business internationally.

Ben Flanagan, export manager at the Department of International Trade, said of the plan: “Liverpool City Region has a very proud heritage in international trade. With world-leading brands in automotive and chemical processing, the region has been successfully exporting cars and chemicals to markets all over the world.

“As these industries evolve and innovate to solve the challenges of the future, so, too, will their exports. But the Liverpool City Region is home to many more world-leading organisations, in the fields of science and technology.

“This presents great opportunities for export growth. The aim of this plan is to support aspirational exporters to access the support they need to make their first exports, as well as encouraging existing exporters to export more.”

Janice Mears, head of business growth, Growth Platform, said: “Whilst there are businesses in the region already taking advantage of exporting, we want to work with companies in the area to help them expand further.

“The region’s export plan can help organisations with starting to trade internationally, help existing exporters reach new markets, mitigate risks, and reduce costs.

“We’re really excited to work with local businesses to help them make the most of the area’s potential, and make ‘Made in Liverpool City Region, Sold to the World’ a reality.”

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