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Written question asked by Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party) on Thursday, 9 May 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 May 2024. It was answered by Lord Offord of Garvel (Conservative) on Thursday, 23 May 2024 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Trade Promotion: USA

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to do business in the USA, following the UK–U.S. Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Dialogue that took place in Belfast on 16 April.

Answer

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the UK-U.S. trading relationship. In 2023, businesses in Northern Ireland alone exported goods worth over £1.5 million to the U.S. The SME Dialogue in Belfast reflects the ongoing commitment from both countries to enhancing UK-U.S. SME trade.

Over 85 SMEs, including many from Northern Ireland, participated in the recent Dialogue in Belfast where the UK and U.S. Intellectual Property (IP) toolkits, to help SMEs protect their IP. The Department for Business and Trade have previously launched toolkits on Doing Business in the U.S. and an E-Commerce Guide for SMEs selling online to the U.S.

The department is committed to supporting SMEs to grow and export, with a dedicated Export Support Service. The Export Academy helps SMEs access free training programmes, 1:1 guidance from International Trade Advisers and in-market insight from teams around the world, including in the U.S.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL4551
Session
2023-24
Subjects
Small businesses USA Trade promotion
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk