Did you know that there’s a lot of help for exporters and would be exporters in finding new markets throughout the world from the likes of UKTI and various other bodies?

Trade Missions, sponsored at national and local level, can be a good way not only of visiting a specific country, but with the backing of UK plc. Often this will include the help and services of the local embassy/consular staff and can do wonders in opening doors. And no, you do not have to be a multi million £ global concern; I’ve known small, local businesses who’ve been on them and found them invaluable.

Remember that it is always a good idea to keep in regular contact with your counterparties, and what better way to impress them than to be part of an official UK led tour? Yes, there are costs, but often these can be subsidised, even on a matched funding basis in some cases. If you already deal with Business Link or East of England international [ www.eei-online.com ], speak to them and see if there’s anything coming up for the country/countries that you are looking at.
There are also regular UK based trade information events given by various parties – one example being Global Trade Network – www.gtnetwork.co.uk. In the coming months, they have evening seminars in the South East on S Africa, Russia and European markets. The S African one, for example, costs £15 per delegate and is being held in September in Luton with the UK Trade Commissioner for S Africa being the keynote speaker.

So why not make some enquiries – you may be surprised at what help there is available in finding new overseas contacts and, once you’ve done that, don’t forget to sort out the finance matters by asking ITFS to advise you, as well as ensuring that, if you are dealing in goods, your shipping agent covers any new markets into which you are venturing.

Good Luck!