Export drive launched in Coventry & Warwickshire
A NEW initiative aimed at helping more firms from Coventry and Warwickshire export their products and services has been launched.
The campaign, unveiled today at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s annual conference at Stoneleigh Park, is designed to encourage companies of all sizes and sectors to start selling their products and services abroad.
The idea behind ‘Exporting is Good for Coventry and Warwickshire’ is to provide a major boost to companies from the city and the county and, at the same time, bolster the local economy.
According to figures from the British Chambers of Commerce, 44% of companies report a direct link between exporting and increased turnover and 58% of businesses said that exporting led to a level of growth not otherwise possible for their company.
Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said there would be hard and soft elements to the campaign.
“International trade has to be one of the main drivers for growth in the future but it’s vital that we get the message out to companies on our patch that they can do it,” she said.
“It’s not something that is just for big manufacturers, if your goods and services can be sold domestically – there is every chance they can be sold internationally too.
“But we understand that it’s not something you can do overnight – that’s why we have a team of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) advisers based at the Chamber to offer guidance on how to get started. Not only that, they can also provide assistance to existing exporters who want to find new overseas markets.”
She has urged businesses to make the most of the services of the UKTI team, which is based at the chamber, and to find out how they can grow through international trade.
“On top of that, we will also be looking at some of the very real barriers to international trade and will be working with UKTI, the British Chambers of Commerce, the LEP and Government to look at how those barriers can be broken down,” she added.
A range of events are being planned in the next few months to run alongside a series of workshops and overseas missions including trips to Singapore, India, China, Hong Kong, The Baltics, Finland and Estonia.
“Exporting is very good for Coventry and Warwickshire and we want to highlight that and, indeed, offer as much help and support as possible to get more companies doing it,” added Ms Bennett.
