HELPING YOUR BUSINESS GO FURTHER, FASTER

HELPING YOUR BUSINESS GO FURTHER, FASTER

WE HAVE BEEN VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE QUALITY OF CONTACTS AND RESEARCH PROVIDED BY UK TRADE & INVESTMENT INTO WHAT IS A TECHNICALLY SPECIALISED MARKET. MARTIN MCGARRY, SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR, CADCORP LTD THE SUPPORT FROM UK TRADE & INVESTMENT WAS KEY TO WINNING SOME MAJOR CONTRACTS, MAKING SURE WE WERE IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME AND RAISING OUR PROFILE AMONG DECISION MAKERS. KEITH LAMBOURNE, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, ACO INTERNATIONAL UK TRADE & INVESTMENT HAS PROVIDED US WITH INFORMATION, ADVICE AND SUPPORT EVERY STEP OF THE WAY AND WE RE CONFIDENT WE CAN CONTINUE TO WIN NEW OVERSEAS CLIENTS AS A RESULT. IAN CHAPMAN, DIRECTOR, CIA TRAINING LTD

EXPORTING IS NEVER SIMPLE, BUT IT HELPS TO BE CONNECTED UK Trade & Investment UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation that can help you achieve your international business potential. We combine the national resources of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office s (FCO) global network of Trade Development Staff, to help you successfully win business overseas. We treat every business as an individual that s why we provide a tailored service with specialist support covering a wide range of industries. Our capacity-building services can make a real difference to your business at a very reasonable price. To use our services your firm may need to meet certain eligibility criteria. Your International Trade Adviser will be able to explain in more detail what these criteria are and advise you on costs. Global reach Our extensive network of dedicated Trade Development Staff based at British Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions worldwide gives you access to overseas markets with a well-connected presence on the ground. The teams will support you with their local knowledge and contacts, maximising your chance of winning new business overseas. Expertise across the UK Our staff has a presence in the nine English regions, based in partner organisations such as Business Links, Chambers of Commerce and Regional Development Agencies. Our International Trade Advisers are experts in doing business overseas and will provide you with essential, impartial advice on all aspects of international trade. Every region has dedicated sector specialists who can provide advice tailored specifically to your industry. Services tailored for you Whether you are just venturing into selling overseas or you are an experienced exporter trying to break into new markets, our teams will put you in touch with the wide range of services outlined in this booklet, which offer practical assistance to help you realise your potential as an international trader. Producing real results Wherever in the world you want to sell, we ll be your personal international trade specialists, helping you research overseas markets, gain the necessary international trade skills, identify opportunities and turn them into real business.

01 ADVICE AND SUPPORT Getting started in international trade can be tough there s a lot to learn and often a lot at stake. That s why it helps to have top quality advice and support. Expert guidance One of UK Trade & Investment s local International Trade Advisers works with you, helping to diagnose your firm s needs and assisting you to develop an action plan for sustainable success in your chosen overseas market. Passport to Export Our highly regarded Passport to Export programme brings together many of our services in a cost-effective package specifically designed for new and inexperienced exporters. It puts together in one simple, responsive process all the tools that companies need to grow their business. The package includes advice from an International Trade Adviser to help develop an export strategy. They will also identify any gaps in your international trade skills such as export marketing, administration, documentation and cultural awareness and assist you with any necessary training. The Passport programme provides help before a visit to an overseas market and will evaluate the visit and review your export strategy in the light of your experience. Communicating overseas UK Trade & Investment can provide advice tailored to the specific needs of your company to help you to understand linguistic and cultural differences when doing business abroad. Our advisers recommend practical measures to maximise the effectiveness of your communications with your overseas customers to ensure that you get the right messages across in the most cost-effective way. It doesn t end there For those who have completed the Passport programme, ongoing support is provided to help you build on these firm foundations, and our services are at your disposal each time you want to break into a new market.

PASSPORT HELPS AMINA SOUND OUT EUROPEAN OPPORTUNITIES By targeting markets in Scandinavia, Holland and France, Amina Technologies has expanded the proportion of its overseas sales to 60 per cent of its total turnover over the past three years, thanks to help from UK Trade & Investment. The company, which designs and manufactures innovative flat-panel loudspeakers, signed up to the Passport programme in December 2002. Managing Director Richard Newlove says: If I d known what I found out on the Passport market research workshop before, I could have saved thousands of pounds in time, energy and lost business opportunity. PRACTICAL, IMPARTIAL ADVICE TAILORED TO YOUR COMPANY S NEEDS 01 ADVICE AND SUPPORT

02 INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES UK Trade & Investment has a wide range of tools that you can use to gather information on target markets and help match your products with the right buyers. www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk Your first port of call should be our website which provides content tailored to your business sector and chosen markets. This is a great source of up-to-date market information, country-specific sector analysis and advance notice of forthcoming events and contacts. Market opportunities Using our information sources and with advice from your local International Trade Adviser, you will be able to highlight the overseas markets that will be most appropriate for your goods and services. This gives you the ability to prioritise your efforts and focus your resources on the markets where they can be most effective. Business opportunities Sales leads are the lifeblood of any business, which is why our overseas Trade Development Staff are constantly on the lookout for business opportunities in their markets. These leads can be sent direct to your email inbox through our website alerting system, free of charge. Help with research Bespoke research into the potential market for your goods or services can be carried out by our Trade Development Staff on the ground in your target market. You will be in direct contact with our teams via the web. Together with your local International Trade Adviser, our Trade Development Staff will work with you to create a bespoke plan for breaking into the market of your choice. They will then help research the market, identify potential contacts and guide you through the process of exporting. The Trade Development Staff can also help set up a programme of face-to-face meetings with potential customers, agents and distributors during your visit. In addition, our staff will help you find a reliable interpreter and give you advice on the local business culture, which can often be crucial in sealing a deal. Information and help UK Trade & Investment s telephone/email enquiry service can answer your overseas business-related questions: T: +44(0)20 7215 8000 E: Use the contact us option on our website at www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk VISIT US AT WWW.UKTRADEINVEST.GOV.UK OR CALL +44 (0)20 7215 8000

02 INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES A LITTLE LOCAL KNOWLEDGE GOES A LONG WAY RESEARCH PRODUCES SHARP STRATEGY FOR CLANTEX Clantex, the firm behind a new system for retaining permanent creases in trousers and shirts, has signed up business with new customers across Europe and the Far East, with help from UK Trade & Investment. The company s turnover is anticipated to rise from 2 million to 5 million within the next five years. Managing Director Paul Hooker commented: Our five-year strategic plan puts export at its heart. We approached UK Trade & Investment for support, and the help from our International Trade Adviser and other trade experts has been phenomenal. The company has won new business in Portugal, Spain, Malta, Ukraine, South Africa and Germany thanks in part to the research carried out by the on-the-spot UK Trade & Investment teams. Paul adds: Without UK Trade & Investment we would not have been able to achieve so much so quickly.

03 MAKING IT HAPPEN GET TO KNOW SOMEONE WHO KNOWS SOMEONE TRADE MISSION HELPS CARDIONETICS FEEL PULSE OF INDIAN MARKET Cardionetics Ltd, a software solutions company for the medical sector, has won its first Indian distribution contract, worth 1.2 million, thanks to help and advice from UK Trade & Investment. Chris Francis, Cardionetics Chief Executive said: I decided to participate on a trade mission to India after receiving market research information from UK Trade & Investment indicating that a demand existed in India for new cardiovascular software technology. Prior to the trip, the UK Trade & Investment team at the British High Commission in Delhi organised a programme of visits for Cardionetics. The company was introduced to key decision makers in the field of cardiovascular surgery, plus potential distributors and the healthcare press. All were impressed by the potential for the company s products.

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TAKE YOUR BUSINESS FURTHER, FASTER WITH UK TRADE & INVESTMENT ADVICE AND SUPPORT Tailored, experienced, impartial advice to maximise your chances of success overseas INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES Essential, unique, trusted information so that you can pick the right markets MAKING IT HAPPEN Practical help to achieve your international trade potential VISIT US AT www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk OR CALL +44 (0)20 7215 8000