The first £1.1 million business-led, pan-India network of British business centres has been announced, led by the UK-India Business Council and with support from India-based British business groups.
The announcement came as Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green convened a conference of representatives of 20 overseas business networks, LEP’s and UK business organisations – Norfolk Chambers International Trade Director, Tracey Howard, was also in attendance.
UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) is working with them to build stronger business-to-business support services in twenty priority markets.
By start of April 2013, the Government plans to have agreed partnerships with business groups in a quarter of the 20 markets, half by the end of April and the rest by the end of June.
Lord Green said: “Britain needs more businesses to get exporting to the fast-growing nations of the world – it’s a vital part of our plan for growth. But we need to make taking the first step into an offshore market much less challenging for small and medium-sized exporters.”
British overseas business networks have traditionally not supported exporters to anywhere near the extent that the UK’s European and other major competitors have, and this gap must be closed, he said.
The range of support offered by these networks will vary according to business need and could include mentoring, office space, familiarisation visits and market introductions.
