The number of businesses receiving export support has increased by 50 per cent in the last financial year, the government has announced.
UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) helped 47,960 businesses to export for the first time or find new markets in 2013-14, Trade Minister Lord Livingston said on 20 October.
The figures show that the UK economy was boosted by £49.1 billion in additional overseas sales as a direct result of the advice, which is also expected to create or safeguard 220,000 jobs.
Lord Livingston said: “Over the last four years, UKTI has more than doubled the number of companies it has helped. It has found them distributors in new markets, helped them sell online around the world, supported their first trade show [and] provided them with advice on over 100 markets around the world and much more.
“I encourage companies considering expanding overseas not to delay and get in touch with UKTI today.”
Among the export success stories is the UK food and drink market, with businesses in this sector now selling to a record 150 countries.
The UK government has helped 2,500 food and drink businesses sell their produce abroad in the last 12 months, generating £300 million for the UK economy.
