New service will help lift trade barriers launched to businesses keen to export
The Department for International Trade (DIT) has launched a new service to help British businesses identify new trade opportunities overseas.
The ‘Check for barriers to trading and investing abroad’ digital service will allow users to search for information on trade barriers imposed by other countries, which could restrict businesses in trading and investing there.
Whilst not all barriers are necessarily resolvable, businesses will be able to see where barriers have been removed and the new service will highlight potential areas of growth and opportunity for their products or services.
And South West businesses are also being helped to grow internationally through a new, free programme from the Department for International Trade (DIT), which has introduced a new Export Academy to support small businesses in the South West of England and provide them with the know-how and confidence to sell to customers around the world.
The programme has been designed for business owners who already have international customers, or those who are considering exporting in the future.
The course, which will be offered to businesses free of charge, will provide companies with the opportunity to learn directly from experts in international trade and fellow exporters through webinars, round table discussions, and mentoring sessions.
Business owners will leave the course with a customised export action plan to help grow their business in international markets.
The programme has been designed for both goods and services businesses, with sessions covering everything from selling online to managing international payments.
Paul Shand, DIT’s Head of Trade in the South West, said: “The Export Academy is perfect for smaller businesses wanting to take their first steps into exporting and for those looking to further grow their export sales.
“By supporting SMEs in the region we hope they will be able to look ahead with confidence and reach their full potential in overseas markets.”
Tackling trade barriers is one of the Department’s key priorities. It is integral to Britain’s independent trade policy and could add billions into the British economy through increased trade flows.
Minister for International Trade, Ranil Jayawardena, said: “I have spent much of the past year speaking to British businesses of all sizes – hearing of their determination to bounce back bigger, better and bolder out of COVID-19.
“This new service will help businesses across Britain to identify potential new markets and seize the new opportunities that come with becoming an independent trading nation, boosting jobs and growth in every corner of the country.
“I am committed to doubling down on tackling trade barriers, so that we can add to the 175 barriers across 61 countries we have already removed and make it easier for our great British businesses to trade globally.”
The new database will be regularly updated to reflect the latest information on trade barriers.
