Member Article

NECC secures £1.5 million deal to boost North East export success

The North East’s largest business membership organisation has been awarded a five-year contract by UK Trade & Investment to deliver export services across the region.

Having been created 200 years ago to grow the Trade of the Port of Newcastle, the North East Chamber of Commerce will now take responsibility for boosting exports across the whole of the North East, building on the region’s phenomenal export performance and helping more companies find footholds in the global marketplace.

NECC will utilise its membership and links to all sectors of industry and other regional business networks to increase visibility of the region’s 23-strong expert team of International Trade Advisers, which includes two dedicated medium-sized business sector advisers and a language and culture adviser.

NECC CEO James Ramsbotham, said: “Today’s news is great for North East exporters and NECC. Chambers of Commerce provide the only truly global business network, with Chambers in every major commercial centre around the world.

“We already boast a wealth of links and expertise to help regional businesses trade overseas. Securing the UKTI contract will help us marry up everything and provide a comprehensive export support service that will help our region maximise our potential and help more firms tap into lucrative foreign markets.

“The Chancellor laid down the challenge to double UK exports by 2020. With the successful delivery of this contract, we will make sure the North East continues to punch above its weight in export markets.”

Businesses exploring overseas markets will have access to accurate impartial advice and overseas market intelligence through the service.

In addition to the core services for new exporters such as ‘Passport to Export’, the ‘Overseas Market Introduction Service’ (OMIS) and the ‘Export Marketing Research Scheme’, the new service will also bring new services to precisely match the needs and aspirations of North East businesses wishing to access and expand into new markets

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) works with UK-based businesses to ensure their success in international markets, and encourage the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice.

David Coppock, UKTI Regional Director for the North East, said: “As well as boasting long-established links with local businesses and the wider business support community, NECC brings a particular level of expertise in not only persuading non-exporters to investigate the potential of tapping into the global marketplace, but also brings with it decades of experience in its own International Trade team.

“It’s this knowledge combined with the Chamber’s proven track record in delivering successful business growth services that will help us take North East exports to the next level.”

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