The Sponsors’ Alliance today called on the Government to support UK exporters, and to help them to sell their way out of the current recession. This call was supported by the Motorsport Industry Association.
The Sponsors’ Alliance, an independent grouping of trade associations working in UK export support and promotion which includes the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), recently met with Trade & Investment Minister, Lord Davies of Abersoch, to discuss government support for exporters ahead of the budget on 22nd April. The Alliance intends to submit evidence to the forthcoming inquiry by the House of Commons Select Committee on Business and Enterprise, entitled ‘Exporting out of Recession’.
Sponsors’ Alliance chairman, Mike Josypenko explains: “Britain has some fantastic small companies; these companies’ products are in demand around the world. Despite the worldwide recession, great opportunities exist for UK companies. The current weakness of Sterling has made UK suppliers more competitive than ever, but small companies need a helping hand to get out into the overseas markets.
“Trade associations, which represent many thousands of UK companies, work closely with UK Trade & Investment, the Government’s export promotion arm, to help UK SME companies to enter overseas markets through international trade shows and missions. UK T & I does some great work, but too much of its resources are devoted to unproductive areas such as staff and overheads, marketing and consultancy. In the current economic climate the Government should prioritise expenditure into services which actually get UK companies out into the marketplace, through exhibitions and trade missions.
“An investment to triple the current budget for these activities would cost an additional £20 million per year, this is insignificant in comparison to the Government’s intervention in the banking sector, but this investment would have an immediate impact in helping companies to break into new markets, earn extra revenue for the country and protect UK jobs.”
To read the full press release, click here.
