UK’s biggest export directory to "fundamentally change the way" Yorkshire & Humber businesses trade overseas

The UK’s five major high street banks have signed up to work with the new Department for International Trade to help enhance the way businesses access international markets.

Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest and Santander are supporting the Government’s aim to populate a new Directory of Exporters.

With a launch due in November, the Directory will link UK companies with contacts from around the world. Potential customers and buyers from global markets will be able to search for companies from across the whole of the UK.

The Directory is part of wider government plans for a more digital service that will significantly contribute to the UK economy and provide a platform for British businesses.

The Government and banks see this collaboration as the first stage in creating a service that aims to make the UK the easiest place in the world from which to start exporting.

Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade, said: “The new Department for International Trade is perfectly placed to bring together the whole of government, industry and our extensive overseas network to help UK businesses win lucrative deals.

“We want to help UK businesses scale up and take advantage of the global appetite for British goods and services, as well as to demonstrate that there has never been a better time for international companies to partner with UK suppliers.

“The first of its kind, this Directory will deliver a unique and new route to global markets, promoting British goods and services on an unprecedented scale. With this kind of creativity and collaborative working between government and industry, I’m confident that we can make the whole of the UK a beacon for open trade around the world.”

Mark Robson, UK Trade & Investment regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber, also commented: “This is a great new initiative which I believe will fundamentally change the way Yorkshire and the Humber businesses export. The Directory of Exporters will create a truly modern trading relationship between UK businesses and the rest of the world, providing a real boost to our exports.

“This new digital platform is another example of the Government’s commitment to shaping a bright future for the UK as a global trading nation and builds on the impressive work already underway - including the Exporting is GREAT campaign - to give a vital boost to budding exporters.”

The Directory will be supported by international marketing activity to increase and sustain the ongoing demand for UK goods and services.

Yorkshire and the Humber businesses can access support to make them more competitive internationally and register to receive live export opportunities direct to their inboxes, helping them secure new contracts overseas.