Sponsor Alliance


The Sponsors Alliance position on the future of Export promotion, Executive summary UK Trade & Investment's infrastructure is not viable in the present economic climate. UKTI's structure is burdened by staff, overheads and administrative costs, which make up 75% of its annual budget. In the current recession the UK needs a significant injection of government investment to boost exports and encourage UK companies to increase their international sales efforts. These resources should be targeted towards business schemes which directly help UK exporters enter overseas markets, and on schemes which bring the largest financial return on investment for exporters and the UK. UKTI must reduce its operating costs, by:- reducing staff and administrative budgets. eliminating regional networks. reducing its marketing activities. reducing inward investment activities. The resulting savings should be channelled into programmes which directly benefit UK exporters. UKTI can reduce the cost of delivering business schemes by working with not-for-profit industry intermediaries, such as trade associations and chambers of commerce. Both parties can leverage existing services and activities, creating greater efficiencies. Opportunities exist for industry associations to play a greater role on behalf of UKTI in delivering overseas market information services, providing advice and mentoring. If you support the Sponsors Alliance position and wish to comment, please email the the Sponsors Alliance using the form below:-
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		Political parties answer questions

		As the election approached the Sponsors Alliance asked all three parties to comment on what they would do to help UK exporters. The answers are on the Campaign page of the website. The Sponsors Alliance continues to battle for a nationally run and properly funded trade fair scheme; something Labour promised Business on first coming to power in 1997. The Scheme is particularly effective. Not only does it support many companies to establish sales in overseas markets, it also provides Accredited Trade Organisations opportunity to earn from delivering the Scheme to industry, thereby enabling us to engage actively with UKTI in promoting trade. While our European competitors benefit from support far in excess of their British counterparts, we ask, why won't our government give us a level playing field?



		Lobby your prospective MP or join the Sponsors Alliance

		The more we lobby prospective MPs, the more notice they will take. Ask the questions we have put (or some of your own). If you would like to join the Sponsors Alliance, please download and return the application form below or contact us by email via the contact page Sponsors Alliance application form





		Currently awaiting a response





		Conservative party answers to Sponsors Alliance questions Selected parts (below)from the Conservatives, for the full questions and answers please click on "read the full letter". "What is clear, and as was stated by the BIS select committee, is that UKTI does in general provide a good service, but many of the faults listed are those that have been made to us over the last few years and it seems that the Government has not taken the necessary remedial action". "The Conservatives reform of UKTI will reduce backroom administrative costs to be able to deliver the maximum amount of frontline funding to increase assistance to exporters and to attract FDI". "Under a Conservative Government UKTI will offer a coordinated national approach to supporting our exporters and attracting inward investment".





		Liberal party answers to Sponsors Alliance Selected parts (below) from the Liberals, for the full questions and answers please click on "read the full letter". "We (the Liberal Democrats) will also encourage greater use of existing industry intermediaries, such as trade associations and chambers of commerce; many already operate export-related services and undertake overseas exhibition and mission activities in conjunction with UKTI". "We will require UKTI to put in place a clear charging policy and will expect UKTI to become more commercial, generating income equal to 50% of its total annual expenditure on export activity". "As part of our plans to reform RDAs, all activity to attract overseas investment and promote UK exports will be led by UK Trade & Investment".

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