Small business exporters will be front and centre of a new roadshow in Cardiff offering tailored government support to get more SMEs exporting across the Technology sector.
The Made in the UK, Sold to the World roadshow events offer SMEs the opportunity to directly connect with Commercial Officers, international buyers, Export Champions and International Trade Advisers (ITAs) to get advice, support, and discuss real export opportunities, through one-to-one meetings to help them start up, scale up and succeed.
This will include how these firms can take advantage of the recent trade announcements with India, the US, and the EU, amongst other opportunities.
The Commercial Officers and international buyers present at the event span markets and regions from around the world, from Africa, to Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, Middle East, Asia Pacific, and China.
Each roadshow taking place in the coming months will be focused on one of the eight key growth driving sectors identified in the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy.
The ambition is to channel government support to sectors with the highest potential to create jobs, boost productivity and grow the economy. All of which will help deliver the Plan for Change to put more money in more working people’s pockets.
Gareth Thomas, Minister for Small Businesses and Exports, said:
“With a range of innovative businesses in the technology sector, Wales has huge exporting potential, and we’re determined to ensure businesses have the support they need to act on it.
“Our modern Industrial Strategy will maximise opportunities in this key growth sector and create good jobs with high wages, raise productivity and boost the Welsh economy.”
Dame Nia Griffith DBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of States for Wales, will be giving the keynote address at the event.
Wales is an important part of the UK for our Technology sector.
Earlier this week, the Chancellor announced a bumper funding package worth more than £22.5 billion a year by 2029 to boost Britain’s world-leading status in research and innovation. This funding will mean local leaders have government backing to develop ‘innovation clusters’ across the country. In South Wales, this means boosting expertise in cutting edge semiconductors.
Semiconductors are a technology with growing global demand, powering devices like mobile phones and electric cars which we rely on every day to support growth and new jobs across the UK.
Some of Wales’s leading SME exporters will be displaying products from a range of technology sub-sectors at the event today, from space-based manufacturing, to an educational AI robot.
Wales Office Minister Dame Nia Griffith said:
“Wales is home to a huge number of successful small businesses with strengths in sectors that have been identified as having potential for growth. This roadshow enables businesses leaders to access the support they need to expand their exports and grow their businesses.
“This comes just after the UK Government secured trade deals with the EU, India and USA which break down barriers for exporters and give them access to new markets.”
Among others on hand to offer expert advice at the event will be Mark John, Co-Founder of Tramshed Tech.
Through the establishment of a network of innovation hubs across Wales and the delivery of a diverse portfolio of tech and digital growth programmes, he and his team have built a thriving community that supports startups, scale-ups, and innovators – both locally in the Welsh tech ecosystem, and abroad.
Mark John, Co-Founder of Tramshed Tech, said:
“Exporting is a vital growth driver for the technology sector, opening doors to new markets, partnerships, and opportunities. In fact, many tech companies are exporting from day one, a clear sign of the global potential built into this industry.
“Wales has enormous potential for growth, with a vibrant tech ecosystem, ambitious founders, and increasing global demand for innovative solutions. Through initiatives like the Welsh Government’s Technology Export Cluster, which Tramshed Tech is proud to help deliver, and trade missions led by both Welsh Gov and the Department of Business and Trade, businesses have access to a wealth of support to scale internationally.
“I’m really looking forward to connecting with both current and aspiring exporters at the event to share insights and offer any advice that can help them take that next step.”
We know that Business who export, grow even faster, which is why this Government is determined to get even more small firms on the exporting ladder.
In March, the Department of Business and Trade relaunched the Board of Trade, to help businesses, and in particular the UK’s 5.5 million SMEs, boost their exports.
And very soon, we will be launching the Trade Strategy, which will set out the Government’s approach to maximising trade opportunities, which will include improving how SMEs use trade agreements, like the recently announced UK-India FTA and UK-US tariff deal, to build new strategic alliances, and strengthen our position to trade in the innovative sectors of the future.
UK businesses can access DBT’s wealth of export support via Great.gov.uk. This comprises an online support offer and a wider network of support including the Export Academy, UK Export Finance, the International Markets network, and one-to-one support from International Trade Advisers.
