Somerset’s Local Authorities are raising awareness of the new opportunities emerging for local companies to export goods and services.

The South West is one of three areas chosen in the UK to benefit from the Export Growth Plan funding with a range of support provided ahead of the EU transition period as part of a multi-million-pound package of support from the Department for International Trade (DIT).

The DIT is offering one-to-one engagement with businesses where specialists can provide support for companies who want to export goods. This can be accessed by emailing DITSW@mobile.trade.gov.uk

DIT also provides the Export Academy, which aims to give clients and companies the information they need to overcome any barriers to start exporting. This can be accessed by going to www.events.great.gov.uk/ExportAcademy

From December Somerset’s businesses will be offered their own dedicated export support, where experts with specialist knowledge will be able to give one-to-one advice.

Then in January 2021, there will be a Somerset Export Excellence webinar. This will bring the Somerset Export Community together to discuss and share ideas as part of a Question and Answer session. For more information on the local support available, visit: www.somerset.gov.uk/business-and-economy/business-support/

While exporting is a complex business, this programme of support has been designed to ensure South West businesses can understand the benefits and overcome the barriers of exporting goods and services.

These events are being provided as part of the Business Rate Retention Pilot (BRRP) funded and run by the Somerset Local Authorities to support Somerset Businesses.

They have been designed to complement a number of regional events which can be accessed via the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership to prepare businesses for the incoming changes. For more details go to: www.heartofswlep.co.uk/news/export-growth-plan-in-hotsw-new-international-trade-advisors-and-free-export-academy-webinars/