UK Exporters – what support is available to help

Export support available to the GREAT UK Rail Sector This document is designed to highlight the different types of support offered by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), UK Export finance, the Railway Industry Association (RIA), Innovate UK and the Department for Transport to the Rail sector to support exports. The document provides hyperlinks directing you to support service websites. With UK rail exports exceeding £1 billion annually and supporting over 12,500 jobs, together we want to unlock further growth in the global rail supply market. Department for Business and Trade Business.gov.uk is the DBT online self-serve offer that provides support for any UK business of any size. It acts as a single-entry point bringing together all DBT’s export support. It is designed to help businesses self-serve more efficiently by offering access to quick answers to exporting questions via tools and how-to articles such as ‘learn to export’ and ‘choosing the right export opportunities’. The Export support team helps businesses that have a specific question or would like to access inperson support, and will triage enquiries to direct businesses to the right type / level of support. Contacted through a questionnaire on business.gov.uk the Export Support Team links digital and inperson support by providing a first response to enquiries from businesses that have not been able to self-serve, or that want to access DBT’s wider network of in-person support. The Business Academy is a free training programme for UK businesses looking to grow internationally. The programme is aimed at both new and experienced exporters. The courses include essentials, masterclasses and sector/market events. International Trade Advisors are dedicated market and sector specialists. They provide export support and account management for companies that want to accelerate their international growth. They can undertake export health checks, develop export strategies, identify trade exhibitions, advise on grants, advise on “Documents & Declarations” and support digital trade. DBT’s overseas teams based in British embassies and high commissions across the globe offer extensive local expertise and bespoke in-market support to businesses. They are proficient in the nuances of in-country business culture and can help find agents/distributors/partnerships and export opportunities. The DBT Rail sector team maintains a list of contacts with a focus on the rail sector. DBT organises a variety of online and in-person events and trade missions, many in partnership with RIA . These support companies to build exporting knowledge, highlight market opportunities and meet buyers. DBT produces high-level market guides which include information on doing business, tax rates and import regulations. The DBT Rail Sector team supports companies with UK rail supply challenges, exporting and inward investment. On exporting, the team generates opportunities, presents the UK offer, provides tools to the DBT overseas team and supports inward and outward missions. The team maintains overviews of rail projects