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17/12/09 International trade on the horizon for a further three years
Business & Enterprise North East (BE-NE) has won the contract to operate the regional UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) service for a further three years - a move that will enable the organisation to build upon the progress made since acquiring the contract earlier this year.
Overseas trade and investment support became a key addition to the BE-NE portfolio back in April. The organisation, which also operates the Business Link service in the region and the North East England Investment Centre (NEEIC), is now looking forward to helping even more businesses succeed in overseas markets, and will operate the UKTI service in the region until April 2013.
Between April and September, 216 companies received assistance with their export plans and a further 75 companies were recruited and intensively assisted through UKTI’s Passport to Export and Gateway to Global Growth services.
The North East also came out as the leading UK region within the UKTI Performance and Impact Monitoring Surveys, for areas including improved performance, productivity and competitiveness.
Alastair MacColl, chief executive of Business & Enterprise North East, said: “We are delighted that Business & Enterprise North East will continue to deliver International Trade support in the region. This will enable us to continue building on the momentum that we have generated since we started operating the UKTI service earlier this year.
Our aim is to develop nothing less than the very best package of International Trade support in the country and to help even more businesses develop and grow by trading internationally.”
David Coppock, International Trade Director for UK Trade & Investment, said:
“I am delighted that Business & Enterprise North East has secured the contract to operate UKTI services for an additional three years. Since taking over the delivery of the service, the business support process has been integrated, cohesive and straightforward, which is crucial in encouraging more businesses to consider opportunities in overseas trade - and allowing those already exporting to increase their influence in foreign markets.”
Alastair MacColl - supports international trade
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