Marches LEP holds free event to boost region's SME exports
Companies in Shropshire looking to boost business by exporting are being invited to a free event in Ludlow this month to help SMEs trade internationally.
The Marches Exporting for Growth features a line-up of speakers from UKTI, the region's international trade team as well as businesses already successfully exporting across the globe.
Hosted by Ludlow MP Philip Dunne, the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership event will be at Ludlow Racecourse on April 27.
LEP Chairman Dr Geoffrey Davies OBE, who will be speaking at the event in Ludlow, added: “Competing in the global marketplace makes business sense. Growth in both our regional economy and the UK economy is going to come by boosting the number of our businesses which are exporting.
“Around 90 per cent of our businesses are SMEs, many of which may be missing out on opportunities to trade internationally and boost their bottom line. This may be because they are not aware of assistance which is available, because of a fear of the costs involved or because they simply don't know where to begin their own export story.”
Mr Dunne, who was instrumental in launching the export event, added: “If a business is selling in the UK, then it can sell overseas. The opportunities to grow your business by trading internationally are considerable.
“Increasing export growth has been a real success story over the past two years, both for local businesses and across the country. Encouraging SMEs to grow their business through exports is a key plank of the growth strategy for rebuilding sustainable economic recovery.
“We know that exporting can be a daunting prospect for a small business, but this event will give local businesses information about the support available for them. They will also hear from businesses at different stages of their export strategy, demonstrating that SMEs can and do successfully trade overseas.
“I am delighted to be hosting the Marches Export for Growth which will be a one-stop-shop for SMEs across Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford looking to expand into new markets.”
The event is being supported with partners from Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, Hereford & Worcester Chamber of Commerce and export experts from the regional international trade team.
The National Challenge Exporting for Growth initiative was launched at the end of 2011 by the Prime Minister and Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green when they announced a target of getting up to 100,000 SMEs to either start exporting for the first time or spread to new markets.
Starting at 8.30am and including a networking lunch, the event will also have an exhibition which includes companies which can assist businesses looking to trade overseas.
A full programme can be found at www.marcheslep.org.uk/news and to register email Teresa Rowe at t.rowe@shropshire-chamber.co.uk or telephone 01952 208218
