Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Boris Johnson attending the Spring Showcase event in 10 Downing Street (Photo credit: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street, Flickr)
Boris Johnson hosted a ‘Spring Showcase’ in Downing Street yesterday (9 May), featuring British food and consumer goods from small independent businesses that export.
The event saw 10 market stalls set up in Number 10, manned by companies such as Blaenafon Cheddar Company, Scotland-based IGS Vertical Farming and Dogtooth Technologies – a technology start-up building intelligent robots for soft fruit picking.
Light a candle
Johnson, who attended the event alongside senior cabinet ministers such as international trade minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan, participated in a candle-dipping class at the stall held of St Eval candle company.
CEO of St Evals Ian Greaves said: “As a British manufacturer based in rural Cornwall, we are delighted to be given the opportunity to showcase St. Eval alongside some of the best of British business at this event.”
Best of British
The prime minister said: “Putting the best of British business on the global market is a vital part of growing our economy – with exports bringing £640.3 billion last year alone.”
He added: “Every corner of the UK is filled with exceptionally talented businesses, and I’m delighted that today we have been able to showcase some of the best of what this country has to offer.”
‘More cheap food’
The Northern Echo reports that the PM said the energy price hike is causing “huge pressures” and the UK needs “more cheap food” as he hosted the producers.
International trade secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan was also in attendance, and said: “We’re rightly proud of our small business exporters, and I want to see more of our brilliant products made here in the UK sold to the world.”
Export boost
Last year the government launched an Export Strategy which will help businesses across the UK double exports and sell their world-class products around the globe.
The 12-point export strategy will give businesses the tools they need to become a nation of exporters and reap the benefits of our free trade deals.
Downing Street held a similar event in November when it invited a dozen food and drink exporters to a festive market.