Partner Article

Yell teams with UKTI to help SMEs go international

Yell, the business directories company, has joined forces with UKTI to deliver guidance and support to UK SMEs looking to expand internationally.

The partnership is called Open to Export, and will provide a dedicated platform for UK-based companies to collaborate and share intelligence about conducting business overseas.

An online portal will allow local businesses, existing exporters and export industry suppliers to interact, and search for the support they require.

Mike Pocock, chief executive officer of Yell Group, said: “This partnership is an important element of Yell’s strategy to become a leader in the emerging eMarketplace connecting SMEs and consumers locally.

“The Open to Export platform is a model which Yell Group can extend across its geographies to help governments drive export growth for SMEs.”

Speaking at a recent UKTI event in London, Lord Green, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, said: “Local businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and their success is key to getting the UK economy moving.

“By helping SMEs grow exports, we will see a significant boost to the UK economic growth.

“This innovative partnership between Yell and UKTI - Open to Export - will provide an invaluable online marketplace where SMEs will be able to overcome the complexities of trading overseas through relevant advice and support.”

Research by Yell found that a large proportion of businesses are lacking the confidence and desire to pursue exporting opportunities.

Out of 700 SMEs surveyed in July this year, 28% had identified that exporting was not part of their business plan, despite them believing they had the appropriate goods or services.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .