The Department for International Trade (DIT) has announced it will be running a week of events dedicated to boosting UK trade for the second year in a row.
‘International Trade Week’ will aim to increase the overseas appeal of UK businesses and has been welcomed by IOE&IT director general Marco Forgione as a “great opportunity for UK businesses”.
In an announcement on Twitter, the DIT invited UK companies of all sizes to register and “get help maximising their overseas potential.”
‘Unprecedented opportunities’
Marco Forgione, director general of the IOE&IT, said:
“This year’s International Trade Week comes at an opportune moment. It is imperative that government and industry support British businesses to take advantage of the unprecedented opportunities presented by the UK’s new and upcoming free trade agreements.
“Last year, we supported International Trade Week with the launch of our paper ‘The digitalisation of trade: SMEs driving innovation’. This year, we again look forward to helping our members and the wider trader community to make the most of the events that will take place and the opportunities that global markets open.”
Registration
International Trade Week is scheduled to last from 31 October to 4 November 2022.
Full details of the events that will occur during the period have not yet been announced, but businesses have been invited to register their interest here.
Businesses that express an interest will receive a notification when the event opens for full registration.
Key themes
The four key themes for the week have been announced. They are:
- Discovering how to trade internationally
- How to find new global markets through free trade agreement updates and market overview sessions
- Discovering key investment opportunities via the DIT’s green trade & investment content
- Understanding the UK’s place in trade as a force for good: with emphasis on support available for female, black, Asian, minority ethnic and LGBTQ+ owned business
Last year’s version
This is the second International Trade Week, with the first being held in November last year. Last year’s iteration included workshops hosted by government ministers, MPs and trade advisors.
Sessions focussed on trade with the US, doing business in the Middle East, and unlocking India’s e-Commerce potential.
Opportunities
This year’s International Trade Week comes as the government pursues new trade deals with countries around the world.
The UK is currently in advanced negotiations with India and members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) – a trading group that includes Japan, Chile, and Canada – with the government aiming to get both completed by the end of the year.
Negotiations with Israel, Mexico and the GCC are also ongoing.