Department for International Trade to now offer business grants worth £2,500

Opening today (December 21), the Department for International Trade’s (DIT) Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) is enabling businesses to apply for grants of up to £2,500.

TAP is said to provide financial support for UK SMEs to participate in overseas exhibitions and conferences that cover various sectors, from education to aerospace and creative to maritime.

The chosen businesses can use the grants to fund direct exhibiting costs, including stand costs and conference fees.

There are 55 international events which comprise the list, from the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg to Cannes Lions Festival, and others in New York to Shanghai.

Minister for investment, Graham Stuart MP, said: “Attending trade shows helps businesses gain market knowledge, forge relationships and raise brand awareness among industry professionals.

“That is why I’m delighted to be announcing the next raft of TAP-supported events. TAP grants accompany a wide range of support businesses can access through the Department for International Trade.

“This includes dedicated teams of International Trade Advisers, sector specialists, and a network of staff across the world that are available to help businesses embark on, or develop, their exporting journey.”

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that in the year to October 2018, goods exports from the UK increased by 3.5 per cent to £348bn.

The number of businesses exporting to non-EU countries over the same period rose to 49,000.

The most popular non-EU destinations for exporters include USA (19.9 per cent), Australia (7.9 per cent) and Switzerland (7.3 per cent).