This special weekly bulletin provides a comprehensive summary of the latest Government Business Support announcements. We also highlight the availability of additional resources that are available to help local businesses get through this unprecedented crisis.
If you have any other queries, please contact us at events@tradeEM.co.uk or call us on 0345 052 4001.
Government Business Support
Businesses facing disruption due to the spread of the virus can visit the dedicated business support hub. Coronavirus (Covid-19) support is available to employers and the self-employed. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants. Use this business support finder to see what support is available for you and your business.
UKEF launches the new Export Development Guarantee (EDG)
UK Export Finance, the UK’s export credit agency, has today launched the Export Development Guarantee (EDG), a new product designed to help boost high-value UK exports that will make UKEF’s support more flexible and available to more companies.
UKEF’s mandate is to complement the work of the private sector, stepping in to offer finance and insurance when banks and lenders cannot. Before EDG, UKEF support had to be tied to an individual export contract. EDG is different, and can be used to support a company’s general export activities. This will unlock UKEF’s award-winning financial support for companies that may wish to:
- scale up their existing export activities
- secure working capital to bid for multiple export contracts
- invest in new premises and technologies linked to exports
The EDG allows UKEF to provide a partial guarantee of up to 80% on commercial loans worth more than £25 million, with a repayment period of up to 5 years.
See here for more information about the EDG.
2025 UK Border Strategy Public Consultation
The end of the Transition Period with the European Union provides the UK with the opportunity to design a future border that will deliver maximum benefit to the UK. A border that is more user-centric and streamlined than before, that helps businesses take advantage of new trading relationships around the world, whilst maintaining high-levels of security to protect the public, the environment and public health.
The UK Government has published a public consultation to invite businesses and industry to share ideas and evidence to help develop a 2025 UK Border Strategy. Our goal is for this Strategy to set out how we will transform the UK border into the world’s most effective and efficient by 2025. Input and expertise from businesses and industry will ensure that the future border is designed with the user in mind and in a way which Government can deliver in partnership with you.
We know this is a busy time for you, but we would welcome your input into this consultation over the next 6 weeks. Responding is easy through the online platform we are using, and your insight and expertise will be invaluable. We will be holding detailed workshops on the 2025 UK Border Strategy throughout the period while the consultation period is open. If you would like to be involved in these detailed sessions, please get in touch at 2025borderstrategy@hmrc.gov.uk.
Department for International Trade Webinar Programme
DIT continue to add to the series of webinars designed to help you manage the impact of Covid-19. Book early to secure your place.
Developing an international strategy in a post Covid-19 world - 28th July 2020 @ 2pm
This webinar will be appropriate for businesses which are looking to develop an export strategy for the first time as well as those existing exporters who recognise that their international strategy may need to be reviewed in the post Covid-19 world.
For details see here.
The fast changing landscape of eCommerce 2020; what it's taught us and why it makes sense to consider expanding cross-border now - 29th July 2020 @ 10am
Join Callum Campbell, CEO at Linnworks and Ian Moore, MD at Tyme Online for eCommerce insight and reflection of the key trends and changes over the last few months.
For details see here.
WeChat Masterclass by PingPong Digital - 29th July 2020 @ 10am
This online course is designed to give you an introduction to the Chinese digital marketing landscape, particularly WeChat, and to provide the essential skills you'll need for your success in doing business in China. Please note, this webinar is the first part of a three-part series, there will be the opportunity to join further online events which will be discussed during the session.
For details see here.
Opportunities in India for UK automotive companies - July 29th 2020 @ 10am
Hear about the opportunities available for UK technology companies in India and planned activities to help you to expand your business in this webinar hosted by SMMT and Department for International Trade.
For details see here.
Strategic Export Controls and Licences: Making Licence Applications - 29th July 2020 @ 10am
Making a good export control licence application allows responsible exporters to get their goods to market quicker and be more competitive. This webinar will provide an insight into what is needed.
For details see here.
Building-in resilience into your export strategy: Are you selling the right products or services? - 29th July 2020 @ 12pm
This webinar provides a practical framework to evaluate product suitability for target overseas markets, in order to maximise opportunities and mitigate risks.
For details see here.
Managing international trade documentation requirements post Covid-19 - 4th August 2020 @ 2pm
Export documentation is a critical area for any exporter where errors and omissions cause cost, delay and reputational damage. Coronavirus and EU exit will lead to changes that make this an essential topic to master. Tony Brown will bring you up to date with some tips on getting your documentation right first time on time in this fast changing area.
For details see here.
Mexico: Export and Business Development Opportunities in the Mexican Automotive sector in light of the USMCA and Covid-19 - 5th August 2020 @ 3pm
Join this webinar to hear more from the Director General of the Nuevo Leon Automotive Cluster of around 100 firms, DIT Mexico’s Head of Trade and Investment and sector specialists from DIT, Santander and Altios.
For details see here.
Building-in resilience into your export strategy: Are you selling to the right markets? - 5th August 2020 @ 11:30 am
This webinar will look at how to review business operations and build-in resilience, to optimise capacity and capabilities, to meet opportunities or mitigate against sudden export market down turns.
For details see here.
Building-in resilience into your export strategy: Managing external variables - 12th August 2020 @ 11:30am
This webinar will look at how to identify and review external variables beyond a business’ direct control; to research alternative solutions and develop informed probable scenarios, that can assist them to weather potentially disruptive trading trends.
For details see here.
Southern Europe Healthcare and Life Science Event - 9th September 2020 @ 10am
This is your chance to (virtually) meet DIT's commercial officers specialising in the Life Sciences and Healthcare sectors from around Southern Europe and get advice on accessing European markets, as well as finding out the support on offer from DIT and our local partners.
For details see here.
Other relevant webinars for the coming week
(Chargeable event) Meet the British Ambassadors: Latin America - 29th July 2020 @ 3pm
Strategy International
UK Heads of Mission from Mexico and Brazil share their insights on opportunities for British companies abroad and provide political and economic updates on their countries and their region. As the world emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic, where are the key opportunities for UK plc going forward?
For details see here.
The role of International Trade in COVID-19 recovery - 30th July 2020 @ 11am
Medilink
Join this Medilink Midlands webinar to hear from Ian Harrison, Head of Exports – Midlands Region. Ian will be talking about how the Department for International Trade is supporting companies post coronavirus in recovery and international opportunities available to Life Science companies.
For details see here.
Innovation Showcase: How Lincolnshire businesses have adapted during Covid-19 - 30th July 2020 @ 2pm
Business Lincolnshire
The webinar will showcase local businesses that have found creative ways to cater for different demand generated by the Covid-19 crisis. Discover what resources and support they utilised in reinventing their offer and discuss how this may re-shape their future.
For details see here.
Getting Started with Social Media Marketing Tools - 30th July @ 2pm
D2N2 Growth Hub/East Midlands Chamber
In this webinar, we’ll cover a multitude of tools that can be used to make your use of social media more efficient, more effective and help you understand what’s working.
For details see here.
Improving Website Performance Using Google Analytics - July 31st @ 2pm
D2N2 Growth Hub/East Midlands Chamber
During this webinar you will see examples of real accounts and websites to demonstrate how actionable insights can be found, from getting a better understanding of the real value of different traffic sources, to finding the pages that are causing visitors to leave your site and analysing why.
For details see here.
Published on Monday 27th July 2020