These are picking up now, as expected. Not comprehensive, but the following may be of interest. This month, I’ve tried to look for some that are not Country specific, but instead look at some of the other issues which often come up when looking overseas at a new market for the first time.

UKTI are currently running a series of day long workshops on Routes to Markets – looking at different options in different countries. These go on until the end of next month. They are not free, but could provide useful information. See www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
Specifically, the London UKTI team are holding a series of workshops on the likes of IPR & Licensing; 7 routes to an overseas market; acquisitions & disposals; agency/distribution; as well as several trade missions – India, South Africa, etc. Go to www.uktilondon.gov.uk for more info.
On 24th February, Essex Chambers are holding an afternoon event focusing on exporting to Poland – details from www.essexchambers.co.uk.
UKTI/FCO can also advise on the multitude of trade fairs that are coming up across Europe and further afield, together with useful information on travel/safety/other issues associated with specific countries and regions – check their websites – www.ukti.gov.uk and www.fco.gov.uk.

UKTI – www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
Business and Culture in China – 20th Nov. London.
Business and Culture in Brazil – 14th Jan. London.
Exploring Mexico – 18th Nov. London.

London Chamber of Commerce -www.londonchamber.co.uk
Opportunities in S Arabia – 2nd Nov. London

UKTI are also an ideal contact point if you want to find our more about Trade Missions to specific countries. You usually need to arrange these well in advance but, by way of example, in the next couple of months there will be missions to S.Arabia, Libya, Bahrain, Algeria and others. They also have details of overseas trade fairs, e.g. Dubai Air Show in November. Business Link are also good for information – if you already have a Business Link advisor, speak to him/her, as, for some visits,
part funding can be available.

Below are details of some upcoming seminars which might be of interest to you if you’re looking to move into particular overseas markets, along with links to other more general international trade resources.

Global Trade Network – www.gtnetwork.co.uk – run periodicly, Country specific 1 day seminars. Future ones include Entering Russia [15th Oct] and Entering the European Market [26th Nov]. If you’re looking for new markets, or have identified possibilities, see if they have a seminar coming up. Costs and usually minimal and you also have the chance to set up a stand, for a small additional fee.

East of England International – www.eei-online.com – is part of UKTI and works with any business in the East of England who is looking to export as well as looking to attract overseas businesses/inward investment into the area. Again, they run regular workshops and seminars at minimal cost, often featuring specific regions.

Business Link East – www.businesslink.gov.uk/east – provide free business support advisors to any SME in the area and can be not only a useful independent person to bounce ideas off of, but can also help signpost you to other providers which will allow you to take your business onwards. They also have an extensive research department available.

Next: “Some International Trade Seminars and Resources”.

There’s no charge as such when you buy/sell currency; it’s built into the exchange rate. However, it has been reported that some banks especially, have recently tweaked the rates on smaller deals and widened the margin, i.e. they are giving you a worse rate and taking a larger slice of commission for themselves. Almost impossible to prove, but it re-inforces the need for everyone to review their FX provider on a regular basis and ensure that you’re still getting acceptable rates. Benchmark and, if you’re not happy, move to someone who is better. Let me know: I can put you in touch with possible new providers.

East of England International – www.eei-online.com – is part of UKTI and works with any business in the East of England who is looking to export as well as looking to attract overseas businesses/inward investment into the area. Again, they run regular workshops and seminars at minimal cost, often featuring specific regions.

Business Link East – www.businesslink.gov.uk/east – provide free business support advisors to any SME in the area and can be not only a useful independent person to bounce ideas off of, but can also help signpost you to other providers which will allow you to take your business onwards. They also have an extensive research department available.

The Government’s Vehicle Scrappage scheme was hailed a success as the number of cars purchased under the initiative surpassed the half-way mark this month.

Official figures have revealed that over 175,000 new cars have been ordered since the announcement of the scheme in the 2009 Budget. This means that more than half of the funding ring-fenced for the scheme has now been exhausted.

The Government put aside £300 million for the scheme, enough to fund 300,000 transactions. However, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders predicts that funding will run out well in advance of the original closing date of 28 February 2010, and possibly by ‘the end of October, early November’. Individuals and businesses wishing to take advantage of the scheme have therefore been advised to act quickly.

Following the news, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said the scheme was ‘a great deal for manufacturers and dealers, not to mention customers’.

Its popularity has led to a 13.5% rise in car manufacturing, Mandelson confirmed, with the South-East of England seeing the highest take-up (18% of total scrappage sales).

The so-called ‘cash for bangers’ initiative offers a £1,000 subsidy, per vehicle, from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, matched by a further £1,000 subsidy from the manufacturer. The subsidy is in addition to any other subsidy or discount offered by the manufacturer or dealer.

The old and new vehicles are subject to a number of conditions, including restrictions relating to their weight, date of UK registration, registered keeper, and length of ownership. A full list of conditions is available from the BIS (visit www.berr.gov.uk.)

Http://www.inttradefinsolns.co.uk
For more information you can also call Ray Stannard on
01708 370838

International Trade Single Window.

Known as ‘ITSW’ for short, it’s a recent development by various parties, including
Business Link, HMRC, UKTI and others. It’s been set up to try to simplify and standardise much of what has been written about international trade. However, what is relatively new is that it looks not only at UK exports, but also imports, so it’s one of the
few Governmental websites that acknowledges the importance importers play in the
overall wheels of commerce. There are various links to it, but a simple Google of
‘ITSW’ will throw up several links on the 1st page. Don’t be put off by the top
link ITSW2009 – International Test Synthesis Workshop – this is something entirely
unrelated!. The Business Link page is probably the most relevant -
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/internationaltrade

ITSW is essentially a web based information service that allows anyone, regardless
of previous international trade experience, to access basic information to get them
started and also to drill down to specific industries, trade associations, etc.,
as well as looking at tariff duties What’s more, it’s free to interrogate. It doesn’t quite do away with me [phew!] but it can answer many questions that importers
and exporters have and/or allow them to ask more specific questions relevant to their
particular industry/shipment. Currently, it is still being completed – 2011 is the
expected completion date, but don’t let that put you off: there is already a significant
amount of information and links to related pages available.