At the end of last year the IOE spearheaded quarterly PIT STOP debates to take the pulse of exporters at grassroots level as part of the Institute’s drive to promote Professionalism in International Trade (PIT).

On April 17 delegates will gather at venues in Birmingham, Canterbury, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Nottingham to have their say about the critical matters affecting IOE members and UK exporters. The PIT STOP review will include delegates’ responses on key issues which will reflect the concerns of business, their successes and challenges in different markets – and what support they require going forward.

PIT STOP was launched last December in Birmingham, London and Manchester where businesses and advisors debated the impact of the Chancellor’s autumn statement. Key feedback from the debates included a call for the Government to consider incentives such as tax breaks or holidays to help offset the major investment required to penetrate new markets. Delegates felt that the Government is asking the business community to invest a huge amount in terms of human resource and capital to establish a new market and this is not reflected in the tax regime.

The review also revealed that exporters are seeking a greater understanding of the financial implications of international trade within the advisor groups as well as business.

Says Lesley Batchelor: “These reviews give the institute and our members a powerful and united voice to lobby government about the issues and concerns of UK exporters. By extending the debate to 10 UK cities we are opening up the opportunities for even more businesses to be heard – and listened to.

“PIT STOP is building on the IOE’s evidence already presented to the Select Committee of the House of Lords.”