UKTI is to be at the centre of a new approach to boosting British exports, and overseeing and co-ordinating export performance.
A new whole-of-government approach to boosting British exports delivered through a transformed, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), focused on priority markets and sectors, has been announced by Trade Minister Lord Maude.
UKTI will be at the centre of this new approach, overseeing and co-ordinating export performance on behalf of the cross-government Exports Implementation Taskforce, led by Business Secretary Sajid Javid.
To increase the value of exports, UKTI will concentrate resources on those markets and sectors in which the UK is or can be a strong competitor. It will also bring together the best of public and private sector experience to develop targeted export campaigns connecting international demand to UK supply. As part of this process, UKTI will locate sector experts in other mainstream government departments during early 2016, including the creation of a Great British Food Unit based in DEFRA. This will better leverage specialist knowledge and existing relationships with business, and join up policy and operational delivery. With sector ministers accountable for the export performance of industries, sector-led campaigns will become increasingly joined up with domestic policy and the deep expertise our customers are seeking, maximising the chances of export success. Departmental ministers responsible for wider policies for their industry sector will oversee the development and delivery of sector export plans.
A redesigned UKTI HQ will serve as a strategic hub supporting this activity, allocating resources against priorities, and monitoring and evaluating progress against plans. Performance will be focused on measuring the volume and value of exports delivered.
To increase the number of exporters, UKTI is focusing on transforming its digital service, using new technology to meet the needs of more businesses and increase cost efficiencies. The 5-year Exporting is GREAT marketing campaign launched in November 2015 to drive up the number of new exporters is one part of this work, and has already generated more than 4,750 applications for export opportunities. In addition, having consulted UK businesses to find out what they need to help boost their exports, UKTI is now developing a single digital platform to help businesses find the export information, support, and advice they need, be it from government or private sector providers.
New Practical and Financial Support for Businesses: UKTI will develop a suite of new practical and direct support products and services, based on best practice and learning from competitor countries’ export promotion agencies. Over the coming months, UKTI will pilot these services and products to ensure they adequately reflect businesses’ needs.
Where export services can be provided by the private sector, with no or little value provided by government’s involvement, the government ultimately intends to exit that market and will focus instead on fostering an invigorated private sector export support marketplace.
UKTI will continue to provide a range of cross-sector support including enhanced support for trade missions and fairs, GREAT marketing and events, and access to on-demand export opportunities.
Work by the FCO and other departments that support exports will continue, including working within the European Union to encourage the negotiation and implementation of Free Trade Agreements. UKTI will continue to lead government efforts to attract £1.5 trillion in foreign direct investment.
The focus on trade as a government priority has also been reinforced by the Prime Minister’s decision to announce a number of new Trade Envoys. The Trade Envoy programme supports the government’s overall strategy to drive economic growth and Envoys are appointed by the Prime Minister to act on behalf of government and to carry his personal mandate. Envoys are carefully selected for their experience, skills and knowledge of particular sectors or markets, or their knowledge of business. This means they can work closely with the government to promote the UK’s excellence globally and champion trade and investment priorities. There are now 24 Trade Envoys covering 50 high-growth and emerging markets.
Business Secretary Sajid Javid said:
“To improve the UK’s export performance we need to get the whole of government mobilised and working towards the same goal. By putting a refocused UKTI at the centre of a co-ordinated cross-government approach relevant departments will share expertise to get UK businesses exporting.”
