UKTI encourages North East businesses to aim high

UKTI Trade Development boss Crispin Simon has urged North East businesses to set their sights on high-growth markets.

The Managing Director, Trade Development for UK Trade & Investment visited the region to help unveil the region’s plans to help companies explore what High Growth Markets have to offer during a special Export Week next month.

Mr Simon was given a tour of Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd’s premises in Darlington to see first-hand how the company has successfully tackled these markets and generated new business.

Mr Simon said: “I was delighted to be given the chance to visit Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd, which is a great example of a North East firm that is taking on the world.

“Encouraging more businesses to export is a key part of the Government’s Plan for Growth.

“Worldwide there are exporting opportunities for every business, no matter what their size.

“High growth markets offer huge potential for the region’s companies, as Cleveland Bridge has shown.

“I hope its success will inspire others and I’d urge them to join us during Export Week to find out more about the opportunities and how UKTI can help.”

Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd boasts a list of achievements that spans the world with many of its successful projects in High Growth Markets, including the Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation headquarters in Hong Kong, China.

Graham Hutchinson, Sales and Marketing Manager at Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd, said:“Cleveland Bridge welcomed the opportunity to meet Crispin Simon and UKTI’s Regional Director David Coppock and the chance to show them around our fabrication facility in Darlington.

“Cleveland Bridge is committed to working closely with the UKTI team to utilise their in-depth experience and valuable resource in countries around the world.

“Like most other companies, we have experienced difficulties over the last few years and the continued support by the UKTI team will enable Cleveland Bridge to continue to grow in new markets, thereby further contributing to the UK economy.

“We are delighted to confirm that we have recently secured a project in Sri Lanka, which has the benefit of support from the UK Export Finance Department.”

Export Week will take place on 13-17 May and features events held across the country including masterclasses on business opportunities and workshops on doing business in high-growth markets.

The latest initiative sees UKTI teaming up with partners and business organisations to focus on those markets offering the strongest opportunities such as Brazil, Russia, India and China.

David Coppock, Regional Director for UK Trade & Investment in the North East, said: “We were delighted with the support for last year’s Export Week – nationally UKTI hosted more than 100 events, reaching around 4,000 businesses.

“We would urge the region’s businesses to join us in May to find out what opportunities high growth markets can offer.

“The past year has been full of challenges for the region’s companies but the North East has still enjoyed another excellent export performance for the year as a whole, with £13.691 billion worth of goods and services exported around the world.

“However, we cannot afford to be complacent and through initiatives such as Export Week, UKTI hopes to encourage more companies to take up the export challenge.”

For more information about Export Week events visit; www.exportweek.ukti.gov.uk/full