Every year, professional trade associations and chambers of commerce accompany over 9,000 UK firms on overseas business trips with the aim of visiting trade shows and taking part in trade missions.

There is a sound logic behind such manoeuvres... Britain’s exports currently contribute about one third of our total GDP. We are the fourth largest trading nation in the world, with one in every three jobs here being dependent upon international commerce.

For its part, the BSIA – predominantly by way of its Export Council – has served as an Approved Sponsor for exporting since 1990. Back then, UK exports were almost nil. Ever since, there has been a total of around £3 million of funding – equating to £200,000 per annum – offered through the Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad (SESA) Scheme. Indeed, security products and services exports are now achieving over £300 million per annum in revenues.

BSIA chief executive David Dickinson explained why in his KeyNote Address at last month’s IFSEC Security Industry Innovation Awards. “Britain leads the world when it comes to security. We have the best consultants, the best manufacturers and designers, the best installers and the best managers. We really do possess unrivalled expertise.”

Outwardly, Prime Minister Blair’s regime is supporting security’s export drive. Look at the Foreword to the latest edition of UK Security. Then Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs – Douglas Alexander – opines: “Security is near the top of the agenda in markets all over the world. There are many UK companies... and they have a worldwide reputation for excellence... UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is pleased to work so closely with the BSIA to promote and develop the UK’s export activities.”

Why, then, is the Government intent on axing the majority of funding for UK exporters (as evidenced by a pre-General Election letter from Alexander to Peter Luff MP)?

UKTI’s expenditure related to trade and investment in the current financial year is £97 million (of which £20 million is used for SESA and £17 million on trade-related sectoral activity). However, annual programme spend will drop to under £90 million by 2007-2008. A philosophy that will undoubtedly damage UK trading profiles abroad.

The Ashes Series hasn’t yet begun, but even Shane Warne would seemingly be hard-pressed to out-spin New Labour.

Source

SMT