A world of opportunity for Northern Powerhouse exporters to explore

Essentially, DBT’s strategy to stimulate export growth in the Northern Powerhouse (NPH) region is about working hard to create the most favourable conditions for our businesses to trade internationally, whilst providing the practical help and support they need to help them export their products and services.   

So, this means that through the expertise of DBT’s negotiation teams, we are working hard to develop world-class Free Trade Agreements that will help maximise the opportunities for our companies, whilst protecting our interests. These Agreements will help remove the barriers that companies can encounter when selling their products and services overseas.   

Secondly, the day-to-day practical support we provide to businesses in the Northern Powerhouse helps them enter overseas markets quicker and more effectively, whilst avoiding some of the pitfalls that can sometimes occur when exporting.   

Ultimately, our vision for the Northern Powerhouse and other parts of the UK is to create a fair and open global trading environment that supports jobs and higher wages, raises living standards and lifts people out of poverty and boosting exports is a very powerful way to do that. 

Great question. We believe that if you sell your product or service in the UK, there’s a good chance that you can sell it overseas.   

So, where the export opportunities exist really depends on what a company’s products or services are.   

A company’s export strategy should always be demand led – essentially, where are the customers that want to buy what you provide? 

But there are some notable opportunities. We know, for example, that the USA is our single biggest trading partner and export opportunities exist for products and services across all sectors – including healthcare and life sciences, offshore wind and digital – all things that the Northern Powerhouse is really good at!   

If we take somewhere else like Australia, for example, the trade deal we have done there means that Northern Powerhouse services companies and professionals will benefit from new commitments that make it easier for them to operate in the Australian market, supporting the mutual recognition of professional qualifications and greater certainty for skilled professionals from architects to actuaries.  

Another area of focus is the CPTPP region, which spans 11 pacific nations, from Malaysia to Mexico, with a combined GDP of more than £8tn. With 13% of global GDP, this will be one of the world’s greatest engines for growth and very important for exports from our region.   

Our membership of the Partnership will help cut away the barriers that stand in the way of trade. Northern Powerhouse businesses will have much easier access to a mix of established markets, such as Canada and New Zealand and other high-growth opportunities, such as Chile and Vietnam. 

Of course, the EU remains one of our strongest markets for goods and services and the Trade & Co-operation Agreement we have means that Northern companies can continue to trade with our closest geographic markets with relative ease.   

For companies that are new to exporting, the near markets of Ireland or the Netherlands can be an attractive option – easy to get to, similar time zones and somewhere for them to cut their teeth on. 

To be honest, there really are so many export opportunities around the world for our local companies to take advantage of. I would recommend they speak with one of our International Trade Advisers to explore where the opportunities are that best suit their products and services. 

Whatever stage a company is at as an exporter, DBT has a range of support that is tailored to meet their needs.  

If, for example, they’re new to the world of international trade and want to understand more about the basics of trading overseas, the Export Academy would be a great starting point.  

This programme of online bite-sized training modules gives companies the practical guidance they need on a whole range of topics including things like doing market research, preparing export documentation and getting paid.   

Alongside this, our website has a wealth of information to help companies select what overseas markets might be right for them and what they need to do to be successful.  

Through the website, businesses can also connect with our team of local International Trade Advisers based across the North of England that provide tailored and specialist advice to help companies realise their exporting potential.   

In addition, we have our fabulously talented Export Champions – businesspeople from across the North with invaluable first-hand exporting experience and a passion to inspire the next generation of exporting companies.   

Finally, our dedicated Export Support Service – a free online resource – can answer any questions that companies have about the practical aspects of exporting including things like the paperwork needed to the rules in a specific country where they want to sell their products or services. 

I think it’s fair to say we are currently living through some challenging times and as ever businesses need to adapt and transition to meet the needs and demands of the modern world, whether that is transitioning to renewables and Net Zero, adopting digitisation, AI and advances in technology to developing more sustainable supply chains.   

For example, there are big export opportunities particularly in decommissioning, hydrogen, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) and energy from waste within the supply chain transition.   

The Net Zero agenda provides a significant opportunity, and this strategy will prioritise clean sectors, enabling companies to combine and increase the capability in the low carbon economy to improve their access abroad.   

Businesses need to think about where they are on that journey, how can they transition and fit into these new supply chains and use their expertise to create sustainable and long-term opportunities overseas through their exports.   

The important message is that DBT is here to support businesses, our ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ plan is to help businesses across the UK double exports and sell their world-class products and services around the globe.     

I would encourage any company thinking about export – whether they are brand new and have never exported before, to experienced exporters or companies wanting to understand more about new Free Trade Agreements – to take advantage of the wealth of support available from DBT. Wherever you are on your export journey we can offer different levels of support through a multitude of services.   

For example, we have rolled out the Export Academy – a learning and development programme to give SMEs the know-how to export with confidence.   

This offers a series of workshops and masterclasses covering all aspects of international trade and offers a great foundation to build on your knowledge.   

We have our team of NPH International Trade Advisers (ITAs) who are here to help support businesses with practical advice and guidance to support SMEs to build their exporting capability.   

We run trade missions, various events and seminars where businesses can gain a greater understanding of markets and sector opportunities and make new connections to support their international trade ambitions.  

There is a vast amount of support available for businesses to tap into and it’s important to keep connected and informed with DBT and your local teams of how you can take advantage of new global opportunities for your business. 

The Northern Powerhouse Export Awards provides an important platform to recognise the fantastic contribution export has made to the growth of a business, as well as celebrating the overall strength and contributions innovative exporting businesses make to the local and regional economies.  

I believe that awards are important to recognise the outstanding achievements and success companies have had as a result of export, and it’s just brilliant for teams to be recognised for all their hard work, perseverance and achievements.   

Winning an award provides the company a spotlight to showcase their excellence, raises brand awareness and generates positive PR and press coverage as well as spreading a positive vibe of good feeling around the company at being recognised for such an achievement.  

I also think, most importantly, it can provide an inspiration and encouragement to others to consider exporting to support their growth plans, which is a great thing.     

For DBT this is important as we want more companies to export their products and services around the world, so anything we can do to help promote the benefits of exporting the better.   

If we can encourage more companies to export, whether that is to start exporting for the first time, or for current exporters to think about developing new markets and taking advantage of new opportunities, we are here to help support businesses with that journey and be successful together.