Government launches online directory to boost small businesses exporters

Small businesses looking to export can now match themselves with international trading partners, with the launch of the Department of International Trade’s GREAT.gov.uk ‘trade hub’.

Announced in July, the government-backed online portal has partnered with the ‘Big 5’ major banks, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, RBS and Santander, to provide practical advice and financial backing to small businesses, and direct them towards export opportunities.

Businesses can register on the site to be included in a directory of exporters and see their products and services with global demand. It will also feature guides on trading with ‘priority markets’ including India, China, Germany and the US.

The portal is part of a campaign to get another 10,000 UK firms exporting by 2020.

Liam Fox, international trade secretary, commented: ‘Maximising the opportunities for international trade is not only in our best economic interests – it’s crucial to the UK’s future prosperity to ensure we’re building and maintaining an economy that works for everybody.

‘Some businesses have told us they don’t know where to start or how to make the next step onto the global marketplace. That’s why we want to support UK businesses large and small as they grow and help them connect with global demand to fulfil our greatest economic ambitions.”