Secretary of State for International Trade (): On Monday, I launched
International Trade Week 2022, which will run until Friday with
events taking place across the United Kingdom. Now in its second
year, International Trade Week is my department’s largest
showcase of trade, exporting and investment potential in the UK.
The week is designed to inspire businesses throughout the UK to
pursue global opportunities, understand the UK’s investment
potential and connect directly with trade industry experts. It
will showcase key initiatives from my department’s Export
Strategy and provide an opportunity to hear from business about
their work to support the UK’s race to £1 trillion worth of
exports by the end of the decade. This Government continues to be
committed to championing businesses to grow internationally and
my department will evidence this through our events throughout
the week.
With more than 10,000 business registrations to over 120 events
across the week, there is clear appetite among British businesses
to take advantage of the growing demand for UK goods and
services, particularly from some of the world’s fastest growing
economies. UK exports were £728.1bn in the 12 months to end of
August 2022, up £116.0bn (19.0%) compared to the previous 12
months.
Last year, the Department for International Trade also launched
our Export Strategy and the ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’
marketing campaign. One year on, we will celebrate successes to
date and further promote our new products and services to
business, as part our continued effort to deliver through the
Export Strategy framework.
On Tuesday, as part of the Week, I also hosted the Green Trade
and Investment Expo (GTIE) in Gateshead. The Expo will inspire
and encourage more high quality, sustainable investment into UK
businesses creating jobs and generating growth to benefit people
across the UK.
With increased investment in UK businesses, and by super charging
our exports, we will create jobs, increase energy security and
resilience, boost productivity and build the expertise that will
benefit the world. The Expo will also demonstrate how the UK is
bringing innovation and creativity to life, and how the ingenuity
of British inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs is unlocking
new growth, new jobs and new investment in clean and renewable
technologies.
