UK: The government’s exports strategy published on November 17 highlights British infrastructure expertise and includes a ‘bigger and better targeted’ programme to support SMEs in attending overseas trade exhibitions such as InnoTrans.
The strategy includes an Infrastructure Exports:UK initiative to bring together government and industry in a ‘Team UK’ approach to opportunities, prioritising markets where infrastructure pipelines complement UK strengths.
The strategy says ‘UK companies are amongst the best in the world in developing and delivering infrastructure’, citing projects including Crossrail, High Speed 1 and Crossrail International’s work on the Tel Aviv metro.
The UK Tradeshow Programme running until April 2023 will provide generic and event-specific training, grants to attend key shows, and market knowledge from trade experts to ensure that businesses make the most of showcasing their products and services.
The previous Tradeshow Access Programme provided companies in the rail sector with around 194 grants of between £1 500 and £2 500 in 2016-20, supporting participation at events including InnoTrans in Germany, AusRail in Australia, Trako in Poland and Middle East Rail in the UAE
’These small, but pivotal grants can introduce smaller companies to the world of exports, helping them to develop a presence in key markets around the world, thereby helping to boost the UK’s trade portfolio’, said the Railway Industry Association’s Exports Director Neil Walker. ‘It is important that the new programme is as effective as the one it replaces.
‘We will continue to work with the Department for International Trade to help UK rail suppliers sell their innovative and world-leading products and services, promoting clean growth across the globe.’
