By Nick Turner

Last updated at 09:49, Monday, 09 July 2012

Government trade minister Lord Green today urged Cumbrian businesses to expand into new markets around the world

Lord Green visited Carlisle to speak to a business audience as a guest of Carlisle MP John Stevenson and later went on to visit the Nestle factory at Dalston.

He told guests at the Tullie House event: “Our trade deficit is just as significant a deficit as the one in public finances and we have to realise that growth lies overseas in Latin America, Asia and increasingly Africa as well as Eastern Europe. 

“In every corner of the country I go to I hear heart warming examples of companies that are getting out there and doing it and whether we are talking about hi-tech or traditional, large or small there are opportunities out there for everyone.” 

Lord Green said his department was increasing the support for businesses to break into markets abroad including:

• Increasing the budget to support firms wanting to attend trade exhibitions 
• UK Export Finance packages that could help with credit cover and exchang risk for companies exporting outside the EU
• Strengthening the network of UKTI representatives who can help develop export strategies and provide support funding.

A number of local businesses who had benefited from such support attended the event. They included Clark Doors and livestock breeding specialist Ansavelley Genetics, of Dalston. 

Ansavelley owner Robert Martin said exports now counted for 20 per cent of its turnover after help attending a trade show in Quebec and developing a strategy with UKTI support. 

“It’s all about researching the market and realising what advantages you have in terms of quality to sell to overseas markets and the UKTI representative was very helpful,” he said.

Mr Stevenson said: “I think this has been very good for the Carlisle business community and I thought it was good that Lord Green has come up to Cumbria to recognise the important contribution that exporting is making to the local and national economy.

“Exports have to be a key part of our economic future.”

“Now the next step needs to be for local businesses to be more fully engaged with the
UKTI people here in Cumbria who can help with issues.”

• The UKTI representative for the Carlisle area is Ian Readman who can be contacted via ian.readman@uktinorthwest.co.uk

For more information about help with exporting and the verdict of major Cumbrian firms on the export market Click here 

First published at 15:55, Monday, 02 July 2012
Published by http://www.in-cumbria.com