The spotlight will be on exporting at this month’s meeting of the Swindon Business Village networking group, with expert advice for firms considering trading overseas as well as for those more seasoned at selling internationally.
Jamie Douglas, of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) South West, will explain how the organisation can help businesses that are taking their first steps in overseas markets as well as working with long-established exporters. 
His talk, on Thursday February 20, will form part of the regular weekly Business Village breakfast, which runs from 7.30am-9am at the Holiday Inn Express by junction 16 of the M4.
UKTI works with UK businesses to ensure their success in international markets, and encourages overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice.
The organisation gives support with areas such as trade show funding, market research and leverage of the UK’s diplomatic offices around the world to make introductions to potential partners in the target markets.
Jamie Douglas said: “There is a wide range of funding and advisory support available and recent measures show that for every £1 in Government funding channelled through the UKTI, approximately £20 comes back into the UK economy as a result of increased export activity. We work with a very wide range of companies, both in terms of size as well as sector, and we are measured specifically on the impact we make on our clients’ bottom lines.
“There is an abundance of opportunities for South West exporters in all corners of the world – and plenty of support to help businesses take advantage of them.”
Business Village organiser Steve Dye, of Search Internet Marketing, said: “At Business Village we are always looking to help start-ups and small businesses develop. The opportunity to expand via exporting is one which many small businesses may not have seriously considered but with the right advice and guidance it could be a realistic and achievable option, one which enables them to grow significantly.”
The meeting is open to all businesses and costs £10. To book, visit www.businessvillage.org. For more information about UKTI, visit www.ukti.gov.uk.
