Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Export Opportunities for SMEs

Thursday 9 February 2023 · 3 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK exports have grown by 24% year on year.
  • UK Export Finance offers trade, finance, and insurance products to help SMEs.
  • The Minister is willing to meet to address IP issues faced by an SME in Germany.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Eastwood
Business & Trade
Context

The MP is inquiring about steps the Department has taken to boost export opportunities for SMEs, focusing on recent growth trends and specific initiatives.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to help increase export opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses?

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

UK exports have grown by 24% year on year, with a landmark 12-point export strategy aiming for £1 trillion-worth of exports annually. The export support service has been created to provide a one-stop shop for UK exporters facing challenges in exporting to the EU, and we are delivering through international trade advisers and programmes like the UK Export Academy.

Answered
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Q2 Mark Eastwood
Business & Trade
Context

The MP is seeking details on how local DIT officers and UK Export Finance can assist SMEs to export their goods and services globally.

Question

Last month, I co-hosted the first successful export academy in association with the Department for International Trade and UK Export Finance. Will the Minister outline how local DIT officers and UKEF can assist SMEs to export their goods and services across the world?

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

UK Export Finance offers a range of trade, finance, and insurance products to help SMEs fulfil export contracts. UKEF works with over 100 private sector partners and has unlocked almost £250 million in working capital loans last year through the innovative general export facility. Additionally, face-to-face support for exporters is provided via a network of around 200 international trade advisers.

Answered
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Q3 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Business & Trade
Context

The MP highlights a local company struggling with intellectual property theft by China, feeling unsupported by the Department for International Trade, and faces an issue in Germany. The MP seeks a meeting to address these challenges.

Question

SMEs in my area have been doing a huge amount of business internationally. One such company has faced IP issues; its IP has been stolen. It feels unsupported by DIT. It now faces an issue in Germany. Will the Minister meet me to help this business with the challenge it faces?

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

I am more than happy to sit down with the hon. Gentleman or ensure that the right Minister does, because we need to protect our IP.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific meeting request and details of how DIT will assist were not addressed directly

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