The Department of Business and Trade (DBT) has commenced a series of roadshows to encourage more SMEs to start exporting goods and services to markets overseas.
The ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ roadshows launched in Blyth in the North-east of England on 24th April, with a series of events taking place throughout the UK during 2025.
Events have been designed to connect international buyers directly with small businesses, with each roadshow event highlighting a specific growth sector for British SMEs. Highlighted sectors include clean energy, advanced manufacturing, technology, life sciences, digital and technology, and financial services.
Gareth Thomas, Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports, said:
“Through these roadshows, the government is focussing on supporting key growth sectors, making it quicker and easier for smaller businesses to connect with markets, grasp export opportunities and expand.”
The focus of the first roadshow in Blyth was exporting in the clean energy sector. The event brought together 100 attendees from small businesses, trade bodies and government representatives alongside 30 Commercial Officers fro UK embassies from around the world. 97 buyers were also in virtual attendance for pre-planned meetings, and spanned 19 markets worldwide including Argentina, Austria, Thailand, Turkey, Mexico, India, and the UAE.
All roadshow events will provide opportunities for delegates to meet with domestic and international Commercial Officers, who will be on hand to offer expert support and advice on specific products, markets, and export opportunities.
There will also be a designated advice zone for SMEs to learn about wider export support services offered by the Department for Business and Trade, as well as those provided by other public sectors partners like regional Growth Hubs, and trusted private sector providers like the Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Business, UKEF and MAKE UK.
A range of workshops and seminars on topical issues such as ‘conducting market research’ and ‘routes to market’ will take place throughout the day, led by the UK Export Academy. Several of these will feature DBT Export Champions who will speak of their own experiences in target markets.
Upcoming Made in the UK Sold to the World roadshow events include those listed below, with events in Liverpool and London in Autumn to be confirmed.
- Birmingham: Advanced Manufacturing – 15 May 2025?
- Cardiff:? Technology – 13 June 2025
- Oxford:? Life Sciences – 16 July 2025?
- Belfast: Digital and Technology – 11 September 2025?
- Edinburgh: Financial Services – 25 September 2025?
More information can be found on the roadshow website.
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