§ Mr. RoyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on measures to clarify the Government's support for British firms trading internationally. [123866]
§ Mr. BattleI am pleased to announce, also on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade, that the Government's support for international trade will in future be delivered under a single brand name.
Trade Partners UK will be the new name for the Government's network of support for British companies trading in world markets. Trade partners UK will replace the various promotional brands that have been used in the past and will make services clearer, more effective and easier to access. The aim is to encourage more firms—particularly Small and Medium Enterprisesߞto develop an international dimension to their business. We shall continue to provide support for those that are already successful outside the UK and we shall seek out and help UK firms with the potential to develop new opportunities in overseas markets.
The new brand will make the full range and reach of services much clearer to customers through the launch on 31 May 2000 of a new internet based "gateway"—www.tradepartners.gov.uk. The gateway will provide access to services for people on the move, anywhere in the world. By the end of this year, all the basic information available on international markets and business sectors will be available electronically. These new interactive services will play a crucial part in the Government's plan to make the United Kingdom a world leader in the knowledge economy by 2002.
Trade Partners UK will also act as a quality standard to show that the services, activities and organisations with which it is associated are endorsed by the Government's international trade development and promotion effort.
British Trade International will continue to provide the co-ordination for the services which now fall under the Trade Partners UK brand, working in partnership with Government departments, Devolved Administrations and regional bodies. British Trade International will continue to act as a voice within government for exporters and companies investing overseas.