Minister of state for trade and export promotion Baroness Fairhead opened the centre on Monday (3^rd September).

Staffed by 30 export and trade product specialists, the centre will work to boost jobs and economic growth, enabling British businesses to begin exporting sooner or sell even more of their products in domestic and overseas markets.

The centre in Birmingham has already started to help a number of British businesses with their export activity into markets such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

In addition, it has helped to increase export activity to Far Eastern markets, such as China, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

•   High street bank to take strategic minority stake in MarketInvoice
•   54% of UK exporters confident despite uncertainty
•   Bibby makes £220m available to UK SMEs

Baroness Fairhead said that time and again we had seen the boost that exporting gave to UK businesses.

“By selling their goods and services around the world, companies can increase profits, employ more workers and create businesses which endure longer.

“That is why our new export strategy aims to increase the substance, availability and awareness of export support.”

Jes Staley, group CEO at Barclays, added: “From manufacturing to agriculture, retail to digital, we are helping more UK businesses sell their goods and services to more people around the world.

“This trade centre is our latest initiative to make it easier for UK businesses to find their way in overseas markets by providing the right finance and all-important advice and guidance.”