Seven East of England companies took part in their first Export Insight visit to Paris this weekend, making new contacts and looking at opportunities across the French marketplace. The companies taking part ranged from Cambridge–based Ski Safety whose innovative avalanche protection product for skiers is attracting international interest , through software specialist SCS in Ipswich, as well as Glazesafe, an award winning company in Broxbourne, supplying another innovative solution for the construction industry.
Also finding Paris a capital place to do business were Diabloskinz from Stevenage whose eye-catching covers for mobile phones were a talking point, and Bonasystems a non-slip flooring system company from Hemel Hempstead. They were joined by representatives from a Bedford translation company and Essex fashion house Carmen Woods, based in Leigh-on-Sea.
Glazesafe’s MD Daniel Cheddie told us:“Overall it was a worthwhile trip. It was good to meet people who can help us expand into France and what were given by the Embassy was excellent. I felt that more stories of small business success would have been valuable, but that said, I would certainly recommend it as networking opportunity.”
For Ski Safety, Director Guy Robson commented: ‘We will definitely be taking part in further Export Insight visits with UKTI as a result of our experience in Paris’
Export Insight visits aim to introduce novice and non-exporters to the principles of international trade so that they can go on to grow internationally.
Liz Basing, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Regional Director for Eastern England said: "Those first stages of exporting can seem a step into the unknown. Questions about resources both cost and time, language and different cultures and business practices can make overseas trade a daunting prospect.
“But our new ‘Export Insight’ visits to many European destinations are designed to help address these questions by introducing novice and non-exporters to the principles of international trade and showing them what help is on hand from UKTI to make that leap less daunting.”
“But even before that stage our ‘Is exporting for you?’ workshops, in partnership with the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), can give companies the information they need to make an informed decision about whether exporting is right for their business or not.”
For further information on the programme of Export Insight Visits to Europe including eligibility criteria go to http://www.embltd.co.uk/ukti/
Notes
1. Follow East of England Regional Director Liz Basing via her blog at http://www.businessweekly.co.uk/blog/trade-talk-with-liz-basing-of-uk-trade-a-investment or on Twitter @UKTI_East
2. UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation that provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade and foreign enterprises seeking to locate in the UK. It brings together the work of teams in British embassies and FCO posts overseas and government departments across Whitehall. UK Trade & Investment services are delivered locally through a network of International Trade Teams. The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements for local delivery of services. For more information visit the web site www.ukti.gov.uk
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Contact RNN East
Regional News Network
Office: 01223 370 780
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Roger Eustis
RNN East
Office: 01223 370780
Email: [email protected]
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