BT supports "Exporting is great" Roadshow

Communications for “Export Hub” to be provided exclusively by BT Business

BT Business is providing key support to the “Exporting is GREAT” initiative, launched this week by the UK Government and aimed at getting 100,000 more UK businesses exporting by 2020. BT Business will be providing the communications for the 56 square metre vehicle, known as the ‘Export Hub’, as it travels the country, in support of the campaign.

The programme, which will see the Export Hub attending more than 100 events in the first year alone, aims to visit every region in the UK to meet SMEs and bring the campaign support and inspiration to them on their own doorstep.

The inside of the state-of-the-art vehicle has been designed for seminars, meetings, workshops and networking events, and is equipped with the latest communications technology, including interactive touch screens and meeting room – for businesses to talk to companies across the world looking to buy British goods and services.

In addition to providing the connectivity, BT Business will be championing British businesses throughout the duration of the campaign via a series of regional events specifically aimed at SMEs.At the heart of these events will be members of the BT Business Champions programme.These are businesses from across the UK who share what they have learnt in setting up and running their own businesses in order to help other company owners achieve their business goals and inspire those who are thinking about starting off on their own.

One such company is the Lake District-based outdoor and travel bag brand Millican, which has seen its exports grow by 275 per cent over the last 12 months, helped by a move into the US market.

Graham Sutherland, CEO, BT Business, said: “BT is better placed than most to understand the importance of exporting to the growth of the UK economy which is why BT Business is supporting ‘Exporting is Great”. Relationships are vital to any good business, but increasingly technology is enabling greater geographic flexibility in terms of those relationships.In fact, our recent research found that a staggering 62 per cent of businesses have regular customers they have never met in person. As technology continues to break down the logistical barriers to international trade, the time has never been better to start exporting British goods.”

The Rt Hon Lord Maude of Horsham, Minister for Trade & Investment, says:

“Exporting is GREAT is the government’s most ambitious export campaign ever, aiming to inspire and support 100,000 additional UK exporters to sell their goods and services overseas by 2020. I’m delighted that BT will be partnering with us to extend and sustain the Export is GREAT’s reach and provide support to businesses to boost their capability and help them successfully access international markets.”

For more details about how BT Business is enabling UK businesses to build better relationships and about the BT Business Champions programme, visit www.bt.com/seewhathappens.

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About Exporting is GREAT

Exporting is GREAT is the government’s most ambitious export campaign ever. It aims to inspire and support 100,000 additional UK exporters to sell their goods and services overseas by 2020. The campaign’s mission is to turn the UK into the world’s greatest exporting nation, capturing the imagination of the public, boosting business confidence and national pride and empowering more UK companies to go out and succeed in global markets.

Every day in every country around the world, there is someone somewhere who wants or needs a UK product or service. The demand is out there, you could be too.

To find out more, visit www.exportingisgreat.gov.uk