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Help with exporting

In Scotland, goods exports increased by 19.2% to £28.8bn in the year to December 2017 (HMRC regional trade statistics data).

Regardless of your exporting experience, the UK Government offers help for businesses that are looking for exporting opportunities. A range of support is available whether you are looking to export for the first time or ready to expand into new markets.

Export Finance

For exporting, finance can provide the working capital needed to be competitive in overseas markets. Without finance, it can be difficult to win or fulfil overseas orders. As an exporter you may need money to:

• • • pay for resources to fulfil an order
    • fill the gap between delivering a good or service and being paid for it
    • insure against the risk of non-payment
    • tender for a large project
    • market your product or service
    • visit overseas markets.

You can get export finance and insurance through UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s export credit agency. UKEF works in partnership with banks and brokers to provide government-backed working capital loans, credit insurance and bank guarantees to support UK companies to trade overseas. UK suppliers to exporters can also access UKEF support, spreading the benefits of trade to SMEs across the UK.

Export Services

The UK Govenment provides export services help to connect UK businesses with international buyers.

• Create a free great.gov.uk trade profile to give companies looking to buy from your industry an easy way to find you.
• Reach over 2 billion consumers online around the world and get special deals negotiated on behalf of UK businesses.
• Access live exporting opportunities and find businesses looking for products and services like yours.
• Find events and visits that are promoting UK goods and services worldwide.

Export Guidance

It can be hard to know where to start if you’re new to exporting, and even if you export regularly, there’s always more to know.  The UK Government offers exporting guidance for your experience level, whether you’re new to exporting, export occasionally or exporting regularly.

Export examples

Highlander Outdoor and Sensewhere are Scotland-based companies who have taken advantage of the help on offer from the UK Government.  Watch below to find out more.

More information

Support is available from the Scottish Government find out more from Scottish Development International and Scottish Enterprise.

Find out more about UK Government support at work.