James Wild MP has welcomed the Department for International Trade's new export campaign to support North West Norfolk food and drink producers benefit from international trade.
The UK is championing high standards and free and fair trade as an independent trading nation and seizing the opportunity to deepen our trade worldwide from the Americas to the Indo-Pacific, where fast-growing economies are set to dominate the global economy in the coming years.
Exporting supports higher wages, productivity, and high-quality jobs for food producers in Norfolk, however only one in five of UK food manufacturers export. This campaign is designed to help support a long-term sustainable future for Norfolk farming, based on high standards, competitiveness, and productivity, which satisfies the growing demand for our world-class produce.
With trade deals covering 64 countries plus the EU secured so far-equating to some £889 billion worth of trade-free trade agreements are opening doors around the world for UK agri-food and drink businesses here in Norfolk. With new trade deals being finalised globally, there is a significant opportunity for Norfolk agriculture, food & drink businesses-of all sizes to benefit from these trade deals.
The agriculture, food and drink industry represents one of the UK's vital manufacturing industries, with the agri-supporting around 4 million jobs. In 2019, nearly 8,000 businesses in the agricultural and food industries exported their goods, supporting the jobs of over 500,000 employees up and down the UK, demonstrating the value of trade.
Export advice and support
DIT provides bespoke exporting advice and one-to-one support to help businesses access these opportunities. For more information, visit https://exports.campaign.gov.uk/ to learn how you and your business can tap into new opportunities abroad.
DIT are also keen to hear more about exporting success stories – whether you are an experienced exporter to foreign markets, or engaging customers abroad for the first time. If you have a story you would like featured in DIT’s campaign, please contact [email protected]
Funding available for exporting
The Department for International Trade has launched its new Internationalisation Fund for eligible businesses in England.
Match-funded grants of between £1,000 and £9,000 will be available for future activity (subject to eligibility and availability).
To secure a grant, you will need to fund a proportion of your costs yourself. This varies according to where your business is based and will be either 40 or 50% of the total cost.
The fund can be used to support areas including (but not exclusively limited to):
- Market research
- IP advice
- Translation services
- International social media/SEO
- Trade fairs (where no TAP funding is available)
- Independent market visits
- Consultancy and other international commercial services
Is your business eligible?
- The company must be based in England
- The company must be a small or medium sized enterprise (SME) with up to 250 employees
- No more than 25% of the business is owned by an enterprise which is not a SME
- Annual turnover does not exceed €50 million or annual balance sheet does not exceed €43 million
To find out more about funding available for you business please visit: https://www.great.gov.uk/campaigns/internationalisation-fund-for-english-businesses/
