EXPORTS will continue to be a key element of the North-East’s future economic success and UK Trade and Investment is committed to ensuring the region’s businesses have the skills and knowledge they need to help them go for global growth.

We have planned a comprehensive programme of events throughout the autumn to help businesses access expert information and advice to assist them in their international trade ambitions.

This programme will complement the wide range of services that can be tailor- made to suit a company’s individual needs, ranging from Passport to Export and the Gateway to Global Growth (G3) initiatives, our Overseas Market Introduction Service (Omis) and visits to key markets around the world.

Working with our partners across the region, we will offer local events to help companies find out more about the opportunities and gain the skills and knowledge they need to make the most of them.

Over the next few months, we will host introduction to export events for those new to international trade and, for the more experienced, there will be advanced export masterclasses.

These events will cover some of the key elements you will need to consider to be a successful exporter and offer practical tips and advice to help you achieve your aims.

Complementing them will be a packed programme of other events, some sector and country specific, including the HSBC/UKTI Trade Academy – an international trade workshop to help demystify how to do business internationally and successfully trade overseas.

Others will include a chemicals event with the North-East Process Industry Cluster; three ICT clinics focussing on the Asia-Pacific region, North America and Europe and several others highlighting opportunities in Japan, the Middle East, Ireland and South Korea.

We have also teamed up with Business Clubs North-East to offer events for its members.

All events will offer companies a chance to talk to experts in their field and our international trade advisors will be on hand to guide you through what support UKTI can offer.

Call 0845-050-5054 or email enquiries@ ukti.rito.co.uk

■ David Coppock is UK Trade and Investment’s international trade director.