International Trade Week Roundup and Other Opportunities

International Trade Week 2022 saw more than 10,000 business sign ups across 116 events, with hundreds of businesses and organisations also posting on social media using #TradeWeek to share their expertise on trade, exporting and investment.

Here is a roundup of events and opportunities from DIT:

International Trade Week, 31^st October – 4^th November:

• Launch of the Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards: Organised by the Department for International Trade, this new initiative is designed to recognise and celebrate the success of UK SMEs trading internationally from a wide range of sectors. They aim to increase focus on exporting amongst businesses and to show that everyday businesses of all sizes and industries are succeeding internationally and overcoming barriers. Nominations for the awards will open in January 2023, with the winners announced in April 2023.
• Launch of new website page on Free Trade Agreements:  businesses can use the page to find out more about trade agreements, how to use them, and why doing so will benefit their business. We will be adding more information as new FTAs come into force. We have also updated our Gov.UK pages on FTAs following business feedback. Visit ‘The UK’s trade agreements’ and guidance on ‘UK Trade Agreements in Effect’.
• Green Trade and Investment Expo in Gateshead: Hosted by the Department for International Trade and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Expo brought together an audience of global investors and executives to capitalise on the commercial opportunities stemming from the UK’s journey to net zero. The Secretary of State for International Trade delivered a keynote speech outlining our approach to using trade to ensure the UK is ready to tackle crucial global challenges ahead. Read the press release here.

Here is some other important export information:

• Export Support Service (ESS) – ESS has evolved to offer a call back service with a DIT trade specialist via the Digital Enquiry Service in place of the helpline. The service has also expanded to cover Eastern Europe and Central Asia markets, ahead of expanding to rest of world markets in due course. ESS can also help businesses navigate other government services and find further support about trading with Europe and other markets, such as International Trade Advisers, the International Market Service and the Export Academy. 

• UK Tradeshow Programme: UK based SMEs can apply for support towards exhibitor and attendee costs – full details here, but to flag upcoming closing dates in November:
  • Support towards exhibitor costs:
    • Premier Vision (France) – closing date 9 November
    • PlastIndia (India) – closing date 9 November
    • Ambiente (Germany) – closing date 13 November
    • Mining Indaba 2023 (South Africa) – closing date 14 November
    • Miami International Boat Show (United States) – closing date 23 November
    • Gulfood 2023 (UAE) – closing date 28 November
    • IDEX (UAE) – closing date 28 November
  • Support towards attendee costs:
    • Intersec (UAE) – closing date 13 November
    • Paris Fashion Week – Men’s (France) – closing date 13 November
    • Maison et Objet (France) – closing date 15 November
    • Boot Dusseldorf (Germany) – closing date 16 November
    • Realscreen (US) – closing date 17 November
    • IPM Essen (Germany) – closing date 20 November
    • Arab Health (UAE) – closing date 24 November
    • PlastIndia (India) – closing date 28 November
    • Ambiente (Germany) – closing date 30 November