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Help for exporters to target new markets after Brexit

While the politicians remain deadlocked over Brexit, businesses are quietly getting on with the day job.

For some, Brexit has been the impetus to explore markets beyond the EU.

Rob Johnston, Chief Executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said: “We have seen an increase in enquiries from exporters since the EU referendum.

“In the last five years, the Chamber’s Cumbria Business Growth Hub has helped 550 Cumbrian exporters including 200 businesses that hadn’t exported before.

“There is a great package of support available to businesses whether they’re new exporters or existing exporters looking to target new markets.

“The Chamber itself offers an export documentation service and we can help Cumbrian businesses make contact with businesses in their target markets through the international Chamber of Commerce network.

“I’d urge any potential exporter to get in touch and we will talk through the support available. Exporting is a great way to grow your business.”

The Cumbria Business Growth Hub website is a good starting point.

There is information on workshops, trade missions and grants – including grants to attend trade shows – a video guide to exporting and details of specific initiatives such as:

  • Trade finance and insurance solutions including bank guarantees, direct lending from UK Export Finance and bond insurance policies;
  • The e-Exporting Programme, which helps businesses to export through e-commerce platforms;
  • The Overseas Market Introduction Service, which plugs into a network of trade experts at UK Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions;
  • An Export Communication Review, where a consultant reviews your communications to either English speaking or non-English speaking markets and recommends improvements;
  • The Enterprise Europe Network, the world’s largest support network for SME exporters with access to 3,000 local experts in 600 locations in 60 countries and a database of potential business partners.

The programme of free workshops includes: an introduction to exporting; an introduction to export market research; how to manage agents and distributors; online marketing to maximise export sales; protecting your intellectual property; and how to thrive at exhibitions.

We can refer businesses to specialist advisers with the Department for International Trade who can help target specific markets. Initial advice is free of charge.

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce’s Export Documentation Service simplifies and streamlines the export process by ensuring that paperwork is completed correctly first time so avoiding delays and saving you money.

We can process EC Certificates of Origin, EUR1 Movement Certificates, ATR Certificates and Arab-British Documents, while our e-Cert Express Service saves invaluable time by processing documents electronically.

Click here to listen to our podcast ‘The secrets of a successful exporter’ with Barry Leahey, of Playdale Playgrounds, Haverthwaite.

Click here for our podcast with Tiffany Solender, an international trade adviser with DIT who is based in Cumbria.

ERDF logoThe funding that supports the Growth Hub comes from a range of sources including Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, the European Regional Development Fund, Allerdale Borough Council (Sellafield Ltd’s Allerdale SIIF, distributed by Allerdale Borough Council), Barrow Borough Council (FEDF Coastal Communities Fund Supply Chain Initiative, the Coastal Communities Fund is funded by the Government with income from the Crown Estates marine assets; it is delivered by the Big Lottery Fund on behalf of UK Government), Carlisle City Council, Eden District Council, South Lakeland District Council and Cumbria LEP.  The Growth Hub is receiving up to £2,528,767 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.  The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information, click here.