Trade Secretary launches “Made in the UK, Sold to the World” campaign to encourage businesses to explore international markets at first International Trade Week.

UK businesses are being encouraged to unlock their exporting potential and sell to the world as International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan launches the inaugural International Trade Week, which starts today [Monday 15 November].

Throughout the week, the Department for International Trade (DIT) will host over 100 events and workshops all over the UK to support and encourage businesses to explore their expansion into international markets. From London to Edinburgh and Cardiff to Belfast, events will connect businesses of all sizes and sectors with expert trade advisors, Parliamentarians and Ministers.  

The Minister for Exports, Mike Freer will be launching a new “Made in the UK, Sold to the World” campaign with Mayor Street at International Trade Week’s headline event in Birmingham. The campaign will champion local export success stories and promote opportunities in international markets to take advantage of the global demand for the high quality goods the UK is known for.

Government-led research estimates that exports support 6.5 million jobs across the UK and shows that exporters pay higher wages, are on average 21% more productive, and tend to be more resilient, innovative, and profitable. However, many businesses across the UK are yet to take the plunge and aren’t sure how to start selling their products overseas.

International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

The UK makes some of the best products in the world, but only 1 in 10 businesses currently export them around the world. I want this International Trade Week to be a catalyst for businesses to sell to new markets and take advantage of the trade deals we are negotiating.

My department has a clear message to any business thinking about exporting for the first time. There has never been a better time to export.

Our industry experts in Trade and Investment Hubs around the UK and based around the world will stand shoulder to shoulder and give you the support you need to take the next step on your exporting journey and sell to the world.

13 businesses from all over the UK have been selected to front the “Made in the UK, Sold to the World” campaign and the International Trade Secretary will visit one of them, Crep Protect, to celebrate the launch.

This sneaker care business, founded by three brothers from London in 2013, now exports to 52 countries and employs almost 100 people. Not only are they supplying Foot Locker and JD Sports, they’ve partnered with one of the most recognisable sports leagues in the world, the NBA, and have DJ Khaled as a brand ambassador.