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UKTI sets exporting challenge to 1,000 NW firms

UK Trade and Investment’s North West regional director, Clive Drinkwater, has challenged 1,000 companies to become exporters over the next 12 months.

Speaking at a celebration of North West businesses and entrepreneurs who won the prestigious Queens Award for International Trade 2013, Mr Drinkwater said the region must continue to boost its exports.

The event was held as statistics came out from HMRC saying there has been a fall in export levels in the North West during the first three months of the year.

Mr Drinkwater countered this data with news that the number of companies exporting out of the region has risen by 2.4%.

Queens Award winners congregated in Cheshire to pledge their support for UKTI’s export challenge, with eight out of eleven winners attending the event.

Mr Drinkwater commented: “Last month we had High Growth Markets week, which was a great success in the North West.

“I attended 15 events and met over 1000 people, and was impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment to exporting that the region’s businesses showed. However, if we are to grow our economy it is vital that we treat every week as an Export Week.

“The North West is the third biggest exporting region in the UK after London and the South East and, as such, plays a vital role to the economy.

“Our firms have the skills and knowledge to compete on an international stage and we need to make sure that they are doing just that.

“I believe there are many businesses in the region that are ready to sell offshore but who just need some help and guidance before taking the plunge, and UKTI are here to help them do just that.”

Winners of the Queens Award 2013 who attended the event included Greater Manchester companies I Love Cosmetics Ltd, Metalube Ltd, Isoprime Ltd, Projection Lighting Ltd and Tenmat Ltd, and Totalpost Services Plc and Triveritas Ltd from Cumbria.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .