Suffolk firm shows the way for World Trade Week

Business leaders from Suffolk who have successfully expanded their companies into foreign markets are using World Trade Week (8 to 12 June) to encourage others to do the same.

Specialist software company for the homecare sector, HET Software in Haverhill, Suffolk, provides a range of solutions to enhance business effectiveness for homecare providers. It has started to sell its range of applications to the Australian market with considerable success, winning contracts with a number of high profile customers and culminating in a recent A$2million (approx. £1m) contract. The company puts much of its success down to the support provided through a programme called ‘Passport to Export’ which is delivered by East of England International.

John Mayhew, chief executive of HET Software, commented: “Local businesses should take advantage of the excellent opportunities that are available to them to get a foothold in foreign markets. EEI’s International Trade Adviser Paul Sharpe has been very helpful each step of the way in helping us develop our overseas trade.”

East of England International, the delivery arm of UK Trade and Investment for the East of England, is encouraging local businesses to take up opportunities to investigate and expand into foreign markets through programmes they offer such as ‘Passport to Export’ and ‘Gateway to Global Growth’.

Paul Sharpe commented: “Passport to Export is just one of the services that East of England International has on offer to help you make that first step into trading abroad. Even though we are in a recession, this is a perfect time for businesses to start venturing into foreign markets and World Trade Week provides a great opportunity to kick start growing your business. Give East of England International a call to see what we have on offer.”

Aimed at new and inexperienced exporters, UKTI’s Passport to Export programme offers free capability assessments, support in visiting potential markets, mentoring from a local export professional, free action plans, customised and subsidised training, and ongoing support throughout your exporting journey. The programme puts together, in one simple process, all the tools exporting companies need to grow their business.

World Trade Week highlights the importance of global trade in creating jobs and growth in the current economic climate. It aims to raise the profile of the range of practical support available to UK businesses to make sure they continue to be vibrant global traders and investors in the future.

Major supporters such as UK Trade and Investment, the British Chambers of Commerce and the CBI are backing World Trade Week to provide the impetus to get firms of all sizes and across all sectors looking at how they can exploit overseas markets.

For further information about East of England International call 0845 641 9955 or visit www.eei-online.com.

For more information about the week or to find out how to get involved visit www.dfid.gov.uk/worldtradeweekuk or www.berr.gov.uk/worldtradeweekuk