A 32 tonne, 40ft long lorry packed with business experts rolled into the carpark at Maidstone Studios on Tuesday.
I helped bring the event to Maidstone because I’m keen to see local businesses increase their exports - in turn creating jobs and boosting our economy. First-time exporters can find it a daunting prospect and more established companies still face challenges, so I’m keen to make sure local businesses tap into the support that’s available from the Government.
The event was part of the Government’s Exporting is GREAT campaign to promote trade by getting more British businesses exporting their products. This campaign is one of the many ways the Government is helping businesses to seize new opportunities abroad. For more information and tools to help businesses access overseas markets visit: www.exportingisgreat.gov.uk
A wide range of businesses came along to get advice from representatives of DIT, UK Export Finance, Invicta Chamber of Commerce and Kent County Council. Several local businesses are already successfully exporting and keen to do more, others are looking to expand into overseas markets for the first time.
It was a productive conversation for the businesses, and it was also a good opportunity for me to take back lots of feedback for Ministers on what's making life harder for businesses at the moment and how Government can help more.
