§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to assist manufacturers to increase the volume of British goods exported to foreign countries. [46600]
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 23 June 1998]: The full range of Overseas Trade Services is available to help UK companies sell goods and services overseas.
Following the Export Forum's report last November, these are being improved and extended. A National Exporters Database will be introduced on 1 July and a new Export Sales Leads Service on 1 September. A new simpler system of Support for Exhibitions and Seminars abroad will apply to events opening after 1 April 1999.
New programmes of activity in some of the target markets identified by the Export Forum have already been announced, including the Export Explorer for Western Europe. New programmes in the remaining target markets will be launched throughout the year.