Trade Minister backs Journal’s export sector campaign
Sep 15 2009 by William Green, The Journal
THE campaign to boost the North East’s export sector has won heavyweight political support.
Trade Minister Lord Davies has declared he “strongly” supports the Go Global campaign to encourage North East firms to export more of their goods and services to help secure economic growth in the region. And North East Minister Nick Brown, also MP for Newcastle East and Wallsend, welcomed the start of the campaign and said there were “opportunities” out there for businesses from across the region.
The Journal has teamed up with the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) to launch the campaign, with business chiefs stressing that exports are key to economy recovery.
The region’s positive trade balance has survived the recession, although the number of exporting companies remains relatively low.
The Go Global campaign is aiming to tackle that by removing the fear of expanding overseas and highlighting what support is available to companies in the North East.
Lord Davies of Abersoch, Minister for Trade, Investment & Business, said help was available from the UK Trade and Investment agency. “UK Trade & Investment is helping hundreds of firms in the North East to explore their global potential every year. We want firms to take the initiative and be strategic about planning their move overseas – exports are too important to be left to chance.
