§ Mr. StevensonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he has taken and what resources are available to support exports of ceramics from the United Kingdom. [146573]
§ Mr. CabornCeramics manufacturers benefit from the general support provided by Trade Partners UK for trade missions and groups at overseas trade events. A number of specific missions and events are regularly supported in the building and construction and giftware sectors, both of which cover ceramics.
One such mission to Japan, including ceramics companies, was supported in the current financial year and five missions in the sectors including ceramics are planned for 2001–02, in addition to a mission to Vietnam, which will be dedicated to ceramics and sponsored by the North Staffordshire chamber of commerce. Nineteen groups at exhibitions and seminars in the sectors including ceramics were supported in 2000–01, at a cost of £884,435 and there are plans to support a further 22 such events in 2001–02, at a projected cost of £1,115,220. It is not possible to break these figures down to identify the number of companies in ceramics sub-sectors supported in these events.
Among the export promoters currently seconded from industry to Trade Partners UK to assist British companies seeking to export, one has a portfolio that includes giftware and seven the building and construction sector.