International Export Boost for Local Businesses

With the finalisation of Brexit at the end of 2020, followed almost simultaneously by the pandemic, UK businesses have certainly been through a rapid period of change and uncertainty. However, there are encouraging signs on many fronts that things are improving. Dacorum Borough Council believes that exporting is essential to building the UK economy, securing jobs, and creating new ones.

As a result, Dacorum Borough Council are pleased to announce, in partnership with Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce (HCoC), a 12-month project of funded international business support to identify and work with around 20 Dacorum based companies, who have the recognised potential to export and wish to begin, or those who currently do export and are interested in substantially expanding into new markets.

The HCoC have developed a range of flexible activities, including: webinars, one-to-one advice, tailor made training courses, access to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Global Business Network, and online trading platform CONNECTS, all of which have been carefully planned to ensure companies receive the best possible advice, guidance, and training.

With the Covid pandemic seemingly in retreat, previously closed international borders opening, and many restrictions being lifted, there are good grounds to believe the UK economy is climbing out of a two-year hiatus.

The UK is still the world’s fifth largest economy, and the world’s eighth largest manufacturer of goods. Given these statistics it is a little surprising that we are only the 14th largest exporters in the world, admittedly competing with the likes of China and the US, but we genuinely and strongly believe that we can both do a lot better, and a lot more given the calibre of both companies and products in Herts.

Justin Urquhart Stewart, Business Investment Manager, and business commentator, said at the Chambers Diamond Club launch in November 2021, that UK companies have excellent products and services but are often reluctant to seize the opportunities that selling overseas can provide. Although there are several reasons behind this, one of the biggest is a lack of knowledge or understanding of how to export.

The HCoC can, using a variety of tools, knowledge, and expertise, be of great assistance in helping companies achieve their goals and help guide and advise accordingly. Last year, the HCoC International Trade Department assisted local companies in exporting goods to the value of £600 million.

John Woodruffe, Head of International Trade and Policy at HCoC, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to partner with Dacorum Borough Council on this project. We believe there is great potential here and going forward, I am certain we can increase further this already impressive figure.’

Dacorum Borough Councillor Alan Anderson, portfolio holder for planning and infrastructure, said: ‘International trade is very important to the local economy, and we are delighted to be working with Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce to increase awareness of the opportunities within the borough.’

Any companies in Dacorum who are interested in taking up this offer should email fraser.willcox@dacorum.gov.uk for further information. Due to limited numbers, strict criteria does apply including having been trading for a minimum of two years, having the capacity to both actively engage with the training programme and being in a position to be able to export.

For more information go to www.dacorum.gov.uk/export-support.