BHETA seeks government support for Export
As part of the Ambiente Country Partner initiative, BHETA housewares director, Will Jones met with Mark Garnier, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for International Trade with a view to increasing Government backing for current and aspiring exporters. Richard Joseph of Joseph Joseph also attended the meeting as a good example of a successful exporter with personal experience of both the challenges and the potential.
The meeting addressed the fact that many UK companies still need encouraging to take their first exporting steps and that as part of this, suppliers need to be able to network freely with locally-based Department for International Trade advisors. With BHETA able to supply a full list of regional DIT contacts, the trade association was positioned successfully as a perfect conduit for export business development.
BHETA was also able to put a strong case for grant funding to be continued as part of The Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) which provides funding for eligible businesses to attend overseas trade shows. BHETA has facilitated 35 grants for Ambiente alone at £1500 per company helping beneficiaries to gain:
• market knowledge
• experience in attending and getting the most from overseas trade shows
• advice and support from trade experts.
The meeting also explored the potential for exhibitors at Exclusively Housewares and Exclusively Electrical to engage with the increasing numbers of international visitors who will be present at the show.
Will Jones commented, “This was a really positive meeting which not only highlighted the need for continued Government support but also positioned BHETA as the ideal trade body to facilitate it.”
For more information about BHETA and its networking and retail engagement events, contact wj@bheta.co.uk, or contact the Member Services team on 0121 237 1130.
Source: BHETA
February 2017