The Association of the British Pharmaceutical
Industry’s (ABPI)
annual conference was attended by Britain’s leading
pharma businesses, and showcased the UK’s world leading
capability to develop solutions to ever changing health
risks around the world.
Speaking in London, set out
how the forthcoming Export Strategy will work closely
with the Department for International Trade’s Life
Sciences Organisation to deliver practical support to
both domestic and global businesses who use the UK as a
manufacturing and export base.
The minister also detailed how a combination of top
universities, research institutions and increasing
government support means that the UK is a fantastic
place for the sector to invest.
The UK is now one of the top 3 life sciences hubs
globally, with businesses based across the country
exporting more than £30 billion of goods and services
last year.
Speaking at the ABPI conference
today, said:
When it comes to world trade, I know that the life
sciences sector is one of Britain’s great assets – so
let me promise you, the government understands how
important it is to our prosperity and public health.
Our shores are the place to develop, manufacture and
commercialise medicines. Our open and innovative
environment has supported our world-leading research
capability, established secure platforms for clinical
trials, and ensures efficient access to supply chain
and service partners. We are home to flying start-ups
and world-beating multinationals and our regulatory
standards are hailed the world over.
The government knows this and we, as a nation, are
proud of our past, present and potential in this
sector – and we have every intention of nurturing our
industry for continued success.
UK exports of goods and services as a whole increased
by 12.1% to £622 billion last year, and with the UK
gearing up to leave the European Union, the Department
will shortly deliver a new Export Strategy. This will
set out the government’s ambition to get businesses of
all sizes exporting their products.
Top 5 ways DIT supports
businesses to export:
-
great.gov.uk -
export platform which lists thousands of export
opportunities worth millions of pounds. It also puts
firms in touch with global buyers at the click of a
mouse.
-
UK Export
Finance - the UK’s export credit agency
provides financial support like capital loans, to
ensure no viable export deal fails due to lack of
finance and insurance. UKEF has recently partnered
with 5 of the UK’s biggest banks, to help small
businesses easily access government-backed financial
support.
- Face-to-face support for exporters in England -
delivered via a network of
around 250 International Trade
Advisers (ITAs). ITAs are
managed by 9 delivery partners who operate in each of
the 9 English regions.
- Trade shows – DIT supports
trade shows across the world to showcase the best of UK
companies from sectors including life sciences,
automotive and food and drink.
- Board of Trade – with representatives from the
business community to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of modern
businesses. It meets 4 times a year rotated around the
UK guaranteeing all parts of the Union have a chance to
raise the issues most important to them.
