HWCC
International Trade
Chamber Delivered Department for International Trade (DIT) Services
Department for International Trade
With a global commercial reach that extends into over 100 countries, the Department for International Trade (DIT) is the Government department that supports UK businesses in their internationalisation.
The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce delivers DIT international trade support and services to Herefordshire and Worcestershire businesses of any size (from SMEs to larger corporates) or export experience (from new to experienced exporters).
A team of experienced International Trade Advisers, based at the Chamber provide free, impartial and confidential export advice, guidance, planning and signposting to the most appropriate DIT services to support your business in its international development.
What the Department for International Trade within the Chamber offer:
International Digital Marketing Clinics
Exclusive, free of charge one to one meetings are available with our Digital Trade Advisers. These bespoke clinics are designed to improve your international web presence by helping you develop your website to have an international appeal, get found in Google and other international search engines and how to use social media internationally.
We can help by showing you how to:
- Optimise your website for an international audience
- Research your international audience
- Use online tools to gain valuable market insights
- Use social media with an international audience
- Leverage mobile and content marketing to improve your international presence
To find out more about this service and to check availability, please contact the International Trade Team:
01905 673 600 (option 4)
International Market Research
Utilising DIT’s extensive global commercial network in British Embassies, High Commissions or Overseas Business network organisations, The Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) can assist businesses at any stage of their international development.
Delivered by local staff operating in the British Embassies or through overseas business network organisations, types of OMIS commissions include, but are not limited to:
- Identification and access of the most appropriate international representatives or partners for a company
- Provision of more in-depth market research about the target sector
- Support in the arrangement of promotional events on the company’s behalf in the target country
- Arrangement of meetings with international customers/end-users or potential international partners, representatives or agents
- Organisation of receptions, meetings or seminars (for example at the British Embassy) to present/exhibit your business’s product or service
To find out more about this service and to check availability, please contact the International Trade Team:
01905 673 600 (option 4)
Global Market Insights
From time to time, overseas market visits for West Midlands companies to markets around the globe are organised by the West Midlands DIT team.
Examples of countries visited include Japan, France and China.
Please check with your Chamber DIT team for any upcoming market visits.
Events, Activities and Webinars
DIT West Midlands are continuously running international events, activities and webinars across the West Midlands region. Please contact your DIT team at the Chamber for an updated list of DIT events.
To find out more about this service and to check availability, please contact the International Trade Team:
01905 673 600 (option 4)
UK Export Finance
UK Export Finance (UKEF) is the UK’s export credit agency and a government department, working alongside the Department for International Trade.
Putting the right finance and insurance in place can give you the exporting edge, helping you to win contracts, fulfil orders and get paid.
Access to export finance
If the terms of a contract require a bond, such as performance guarantees or advance payment guarantees, UKEF’s Bond Support Scheme can guarantee a UK exporter’s bank up to 80% of the bond’s value, significantly reducing the size of the deposit needed.
To secure a multi-million dollar contract in Bahrain, Dudley firm Mechatherm needed to provide an advance payment guarantee and a performance bond from Mechatherm’s UK bank. UKEF was able to guarantee 80% of the value of both bonds, freeing up the cash the company needed to deliver and securing its reputation as a quality supplier in the region.
UKEF’s Export Working Capital Scheme can partially guarantee to cover the credit risks for lenders associated with facilities allowing the exporter to access greater levels of export working capital. This means UK companies can export if they win a contract higher in value, or win more overseas contracts, than usual.
UK suppliers to exporters can also access government-backed finance, spreading the benefits of trade to SMEs across the UK.
Managing payment risks
Export insurance is readily available in most cases from the commercial sector but for some markets securing the right cover can be a challenge. UKEF’s Export Insurance Policy helps exporters manage the uncertainties of trading overseas by protecting against non-payment under certain conditions, such as country risk.
UKEF has a regional network of Export Finance Managers to help you find solutions to your export finance challenges. Find out if UKEF can help your business and contact our team.
To find out more about this service and to check availability, please contact the International Trade Team:
01905 673 600 (option 4)
Join the SME Export Academy
The Export Academy from the Department for International Trade will help you grow your business by showing you how to sell to new customers around the world.
The course is free, and you’ll learn directly from experts in international trade who are on hand to provide support across a range of sectors and businesses, from selling children’s clothes to Spain, to providing PR services for clients in the US.
What our Members Say:
“As a Patron member for many years we have enjoyed a strong relationship with the Chamber and the network of local businesses that it enables. The value of Membership comes in many forms, from training and employee development, to support with funding and access to all the latest local and national business news. The Chamber were an important supporter of our successful application for Regional Growth Funding and Queens Awards.
The many and varied events that the Chamber hosts provide the opportunity to take a step back from the day to day business and share ideas and challenges with other businesses in an informal and friendly environment which almost always includes a bacon sandwich and a cuppa! Being able to share our best practice, support other businesses and keep the local economy healthy is equally important. We thoroughly enjoying sponsoring and attending the annual awards – it’s the perfect way to celebrate the region’s achievements.”
– Rowena Innocent, Malvern Panalytical
Become a Chamber Member!
Contact our Chamber Membership team to find out how we can help your business.