One trillion pounds by 2020 – that is the chancellor’s target for the value of the UK’s exports – and if he’s right the opportunities for businesses to cash in on this figure are huge.
One businessman who knows the benefits of trading internationally is Tony Stevens, who owns Tower Scaffolding Supplies, of King’s Lynn. He has worked globally for more than a decade, including supplying materials to companies operating in the Middle East, South Africa, Ghana and the Ivory Coast.
Tony, who runs the business on his own, said: “Small companies can trade internationally and I have worked for companies involved in everything from gold mining to oil and gas. From my point of view, it helps that companies working in Africa like to have UK products, which have high safety standards. They know that the equipment we send out to them will be safe.”
He believes that developing contacts is crucial and for him that has included a good relationship with the Construction Industry Training Board, through which his name became known internationally.
Tony said: “It helped that I was working with CITB because I was able to develop contacts through them. A lot of it is word of mouth. People get to know you then tell other people about you. In construction, you often get people moving from job to job and telling people about you.
“It is crucial to have a decent website so that people can find you and know what you do. I also make sure I know what is happening in various sectors. I go on oil and gas websites and look at magazines to see where the contracts are.”
He also acknowledges that trading internationally has to be a team effort, saying: “I see myself as the middle man. I source the work for international clients and work with a UK company that will organise all the shipping for me.
“It also helps working with the Norfolk Chamber. They have provided me with useful training and support.”
This exciting event is designed to help businesses to unlock growth by tapping into the massive opportunities that exist for trading overseas.
Norfolk Chamber has recognised the power of export as a route to business growth and will be staging a free to attend, half-day event called The Global Marketplace, on 27 September at Norwich University College of the Arts, sponsored by Barclays, UKTI and PwC.
Tracey Howard, Norfolk Chamber’s International Trade Director, commented: “The Global Marketplace is the first of its kind in the region. This exciting event is designed to help businesses to unlock growth by tapping into the massive opportunities that exist for trading overseas.
“Whether you are a seasoned exporter, or looking at trading internationally for the first time, it is the ideal place to find new ideas and help you find out about exciting growth markets in a wide range of countries.”
The show features an exhibition of country specialists – consisting of foreign Chambers of Commerce, embassies and business councils – from countries including China, Egypt, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Brazil, India, Russia, Turkey, Libya and Dubai (United Arab Emirates).
“This means businesses can talk face-to-face with the experts about a number of high growth markets, the business opportunities and how to access them whilst making great connections and building those essential relationships,” explains Tracey Howard. “There will also be a series of workshops will provide key information to help expand your business overseas.”
A host of industry experts will be speaking at the event. They includes Lesley Batchelor, Director General of the Institute of Export, who will be delivering a keynote speech about building relationships and accessing expertise entitled ‘What is the key to export success?’
Also speaking at The Global Marketplace will be David Riches, Operations Director of the British Chambers of Commerce; Victoria Martin, Short Term Products Manager of UK Export Finance (formerly ECGD), the UK Government’s export credit agency; and Simon Nicholson, Head of International and Trade, Barclays.
