Reference: PN075-2012

Date: 29 October 2012

Online service for small businesses launched

Today a free online service has been launched to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with information, advice and guidance on exporting overseas.

The service ‘Open to Export’ http://opentoexport.com/ is launched by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in partnership with hibu plc (formerly Yell Group).

Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green said:

“Supporting more small and medium sized enterprises to export is a key part of the government’s plan for growth. The Prime Minister outlined this as a national challenge last year, targeting a further 100,000 British businesses exporting by 2020 and the doubling of export receipts to £1 trillion.

“Half of the UK’s exports, by value, already come from SMEs. Open to Export will provide practical assistance, advice and support to other businesses looking to make that crucial first step to sell into foreign markets."

Richard Hanscott, Chief Executive Officer of hibu in the UK, said: “We have a long established relationship with the SME community and UKTI research tells us that 33% of businesses report that lack of contacts is a barrier to export. hibu’s digital strategy is to help communities thrive and the Open to Export site is already achieving this by giving small businesses access to the knowledge and advice necessary to grow with confidence outside the UK.”

John Cridland, CBI Director-General, said:

“We know that boosting our exports, especially to new high-growth markets will be a crucial driver of future UK growth. The Government’s Open to Export portal will help support business export success, by creating a ‘one-stop-shop’ of advice for both would-be and existing exporters. Importantly the platform will also allow companies to share market intelligence and network.”

“Hearing how one firm succeeded in overcoming this piece of regulation or that market access challenge could be just the light bulb moment needed for another firm to make the leap into selling, and winning overseas.”

The launch of the website comes just over a year after the Prime Minister set a national challenge to raise the number of small businesses that export from one in five to one in four. By increasing the number of companies who export by roughly a quarter, about £36 billion could be added to the UK economy.

The Open to Export Service is a new, free online community that gives small businesses the guidance and in-depth information they need to expand their business abroad. Companies will receive bespoke answers to meet their business needs in new markets, access practical information on export topics, connect and engage with a range of exporters and explore the latest international opportunities for their business. In addition to accessing government advice, through international trade advisors based at British embassies and high commissions, companies can also receive support from existing and prospective exporters, lawyers, accountants and independent trade advisors.

Exports are vital for the country’s economic recovery. The latest research shows that firms that export generate an average growth of 30 per cent after exporting for just two years. Alongside Opentoexport.com, the government has also recently announced £9 million worth of support to help boost trade opportunities for SME businesses and from 12 November is launching this year’s national Export Week campaign.

Notes to Editors

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK’s economy – acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage. For more information on UKTI, visit www.ukti.gov.uk or telephone +44 (0)207 215 8000. For latest press releases, visit the online newsroom at www.ukti.gov.uk/media.

OpentoExport.com Background

• UKTI and hibu PLC announced this partnership on 11 November 2011 during the SMEs Exporting and Growth event. Hibu was selected as a partner by UKTI following an open competition.

• The Open to Export service went live in a Beta trial in June 2012. Businesses have been provided with content around how to trade in the USA and India. The service is now bring rolled out to include other major markets.

• The Open to Export service will be running a number of features as well as being present at related events over the coming months. These will include:

30 October 2012

Growth Accelerator SME Clinic at Russell Square, London: http://growthaccelerator.easy2partner.com

8 November – 21 November 2012

Open to Export site – A feature on ‘Getting Started’ in export. http://opentoexport.com/

12-16 November 2012

Export Week - Open to Export presence at Explore Export events scheduled throughout the week. http://www.exportweek.ukti.gov.uk/full/

6th December - 19th December 2012

Spotlight on USA with a US themed event held in Cambridge on 11th December with US experts and UKTI commercial staff. Open to Export will also be featuring articles and content focused on exporting to the USA, alongside a team of experts ready to answer your questions.

Check http://opentoexport.com/ for more information.

Supportive Quotes

Lastminute.com founder, Brent Hoberman added: “This new initiative supported by the UKTI, is a great example of how government can act as a catalyst to UK businesses to help each other - in this case in the crucial area of increasing British exports abroad by finding relevant experts who can help them trade.”

Sally Guyer from The Cambridge Raincoat Company that specialises in raincoats for cyclists, used the Open to Export site to ask various questions about exporting. She said:

”I wanted to maximise my international opportunities, particularly in wholesale, and Open to Export put me in direct contact with experts who understood my frustrations about starting to export and were happy to share their knowledge which was invaluable to me.”

Jackie Hutchings, Marketing Director of Wiltshire based weight loss coaching and hypnosis start-up Zlimm123, said:

"This is a really useful service for a busy start-up like my company. I can post a question, get on with other jobs, and then come back to some excellent responses from a variety of sources. The expert advice we were given has helped us in our decision to take our product to the US market."

Philip Gray from Commercial Doctor Ltd, a company that advises businesses looking to engage with the Brazilian marketplace, said:

“On my first visit to the Open to Export site, I saw a question within my scope of expertise from a company which is looking at business development in Brazil. Answering that question has led to a firm new lead, which as a consultancy service provider, is exactly what I am looking for.”

Media contact

For more information from UK Trade & Investment, please contact Michael Gibbs on 020 7215 1635 or email Michael.Gibbs@bis.gsi.gov.uk

For more information from hibu plc, please contact Demelza Fryer-Saxby on 0118 3582977 or email Demelza.Fryer-Saxby@hibu.com