Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Free Trade Agreements

Thursday 14 January 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department recruited 30 additional international trade advisers, including 14 overseas representatives for the north.
  • The Department established the Export Academy to educate businesses on export planning and implementation.
  • An internationalisation fund with 38 million was launched to provide grants for businesses starting to export.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Menzies Con
Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from the need for businesses in the north-west to benefit equitably from future trade deals post-Brexit. The MP aims to ensure that northern enterprises are not left behind.

Question

What steps has the Department taken to help ensure that businesses in the north-west can benefit from future free trade agreements?

Answer from Graham Stuart

My Department has recruited additional 30 international trade advisers, with 14 overseas representatives specifically for the north. We established the Export Academy to educate businesses on export planning and implementation. Since 2016, the DIT northern powerhouse team led 83 trade missions to 23 countries supporting over 1,600 companies. Virtual missions also benefitted 272 northern firms during covid-19.

Answered
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Q2 Mark Menzies Con
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The MP highlights the importance of SMEs in Fylde expanding into international markets and participating in global trade. The focus is on providing guidance and resources for local companies to start exporting.

Question

What support will be made available to businesses looking to begin exporting as part of post-Brexit, global Britain?

Answer from Graham Stuart

We have launched an internationalisation fund with £38 million to provide grants for businesses to start exporting. The UK Export Finance general export facility was also introduced, offering working capital through major banks to supporting exporting SMEs. This is the first such product and available now.

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