UK Trade and Investment’s (UKTI) regional director has used the start of Export Week to urge businesses to consider trading overseas.

David Coppock said: “The very essence of Export Week is to encourage the region’s businesses to consider their overseas potential and show how UKTI can help reach customers around the world.

“I strongly believe that most companies can and should export – from single-owner operations to large corporations. If you are successful in the UK, there is no reason why you can’t sell abroad, if you do your research and plan properly.

“At UKTI we know that striking out into new and unfamiliar territory can be daunting, but many more North East companies could and should be taking advantage of the opportunities international markets offer and the wide range of support UKTI provides.

“All the evidence shows that businesses new to exporting who use UKTI’s valuable range of services do better than trying to go it alone – and during Export Week there will be a host of events across the region to help show them the way.”

Among the highlights of the week’s events will be UKTI's ExploreExport roadshow, which will be at Newcastle Racecourse, Gosforth, on Tuesday, when more than 60 experts from across the world will be available to share their expertise in one-to-one meetings with local businesses.

Organised by UKTI in conjunction with partners and business organisations, Export Week, aims to encourage companies to take up the export challenge and highlight the wealth of support and knowledge available to help them grow.

Previous Export Weeks have seen more than 2,000 companies attend North-East events.

Advance bookings for ExploreExport are now closed, but companies are still welcome to come along on the day.

Details about the full range of events can be found on the website at: www.exportweek.ukti.gov.uk

For more information about the wide range of support services available through UK Trade & Investment to help your company succeed overseas call the North East International Trade Hotline on 0845 05 05 054 or email: enquiries@uktinortheast.org.uk. You can also follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/UKTINorthEast.