THE BSIA HAS LONG BEEN LOBBYING Government regarding the proposed plans to axe funding for SME’s to export.

In a letter sent to all Members of Parliament (and reproduced in this month’s Letters To The Editor, pp11-13), chief executive David Dickinson outlines the real value that such SMEs bring to UK trade and industry, and pinpoints the detrimental consequences that restricting funding would have on such businesses.

The Association has now received 29 responses to the letter, with correspondents including the Leader of the Opposition, Michael Howard MP, James Arbuthnot MP (the Conservative’s Shadow Secretary of State for Trade), the Liberal Democrats’ Shadow Secretary of State for Trade, Malcolm Bruce MP, Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin MP and the Shadow Minister for Trade (Julian Brazier MP).

Many of the letters are supportive of the BSIA’s views. In his correspondence, James Arbuthnot MP expresses his concerns about the situation, and states his intention to ask questions in the House of Commons as to how the Government proposes to support existing exporters – no matter the size of the business – in the future.

Julian Brazier MP responded to the BSIA’s letter by suggesting that, if the Government goes ahead with its plans, it will be “to the detriment of the economy as a whole”.

The BSIA will continue to lobby for changes to the proposed plans.

Source

SMT