New digital service for would-be exporters

The Government has launched GREAT.gov.uk a trade hub aimed at helping firms access potential overseas orders by giving practical advice and signposting support for businesses looking to win contracts.

The new site acts as a single digital destination for trade and investment, bringing together and connecting UK businesses, international buyers and international investors. Whether businesses are new, occasional or frequent exporters, they will be able to take make use of a new suite of tools and exclusive deals on fees or commissions with some of world’s leading online marketplaces.

By registering, businesses will become part of a new searchable directory of UK exporters, which government will use to match their products and services with worldwide demand.

Of the 2.5 million businesses registered in the UK, an estimated 360,000 who have an exportable product or service mistakenly believe there isn’t a global demand for it.

The new digital trade hub is part of a push to help a further 100,000 more UK businesses export by 2020. Through e-exporting alone ministers are hoping to deliver an additional 20,000 online exporters and £2 billion worth of value to the UK economy by 2020.