North West SMEs urged to expand their horizons through new international trade fund

Businesses in the North West have been urged to take advantage of all the help available to support their export ambitions – including a new government fund aimed directly at SMEs.

That was the clear message from experts and business leaders speaking at the Lancashire Business View and the Department for International Trade (DiT) conference, ‘Export North West: financing your international ambitions’.

The online event, attended by delegates from across the region, focused on funding options and how businesses can access financial support to start or to boost their international trade journeys.

The conference highlighted the DiT’s new Internationalisation Fund. SMEs across the North West looking to expand into new overseas markets can now apply for up to £9,000 of match funding.

The scheme has been specifically designed to help SMEs gain access to the support and advice needed as they expand their global horizons.

Bobbie Charleston Price, international trade team leader at the DiT, urged SMEs in all sectors looking to increase their exporting potential to apply to the fund.

She told the conference: “If business believe they have got a product or service that will be of interest to international markets we want to talk to them.”

The funding can be used for help with a range of issues, including market research, IP advice, translation services, international social media and SEO work, trade fairs, independent market visits and consultancy.

Bobbie said that as well as the money, the scheme introduced businesses to a network of support, including DiT’s international trade advisors, who worked with companies to develop international action plans.

The scheme is already supporting North West businesses, but it is still available for firms based across the region, with a closing date of March 2023 for applications. For more information email [email protected]

Lynne Gillen, export manager for the North West at DiT, used the conference to issue a rallying call to North West businesses in all sectors, urging them to get in touch to discuss their international ambitions.

She said that trade agreements being negotiated by the UK in the post-Brexit era offered opportunities for the region. And she added: “We need to be bold, brave and ambitious in our international action.”

Financial support isn’t the only key to international trade success, delegates heard, with a wide range of help and advice available for North West SMEs to tap into. Lynne Gillen told delegates: “Don’t be afraid, ask or help.”

Export financing and the options available were put under the microscope by an expert panel consisting of Sue Barnard, senior manager, British Business Bank; Andy Dobson, head of northern division, Moneycorp and Steve Cowles, export finance manager, UK Export Finance.

North West business leaders already embarking on their export journeys also shared their experiences.

They included Phil Whitwell, director of distillery Batch Brew: Lyn Pitt, managing director of specialist manufacturer DT&G and Peter Thompson, global animal health and international operations manager at chemical manufacturer Evans Vanodine.

Peter Thompson told delegates: “Never be afraid to ask for help. We are a mature exporting business, but I ask for it all the time.”

Lyn Pitt urged SMEs to take advantage of the new Internationalisation Fund. She said: “Everyone talks about big value contracts. But you can take small steps, do what you feel comfortable with.”

At the end of the conference delegates were able to take part in an Export Academy taster session with Chris McFarlane Baxter, export academy advisor at the DiT.

The academy programme has been set up to give small and micro-businesses the know-how to sell to customers around the world with confidence.

More coverage of the conference is planned in Lancashire Business View’s September-October 2021 issue.

Watch the event in full below.