Department for Business and Trade (DBT) North of England Newsletter - January 2025
We hope you had a great start to the New Year and are looking ahead to 2025 with more international opportunities and business growth for you and your company.
We are pleased to share some great highlights including the announcement of the King's 2025 New Years Honours list and the launch of the Made in the UK Sold to the Indo-Pacific Roadshow 2025, along with updates on our latest events, trade missions and international trade news.
Read on to find out what’s coming up.
Made in the UK Sold to the World Awards
The awards recognise and celebrate the success of UK SMEs trading internationally. Through the ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ awards, we celebrate exporters from across the country, with the aim of instilling an exporting culture and inspiring more businesses to consider exporting, or export more.
There are twelve sector-focused categories your business could be nominated for and all you need to do is share your international trade success story with us including Advanced Manufacturing & Construction, Agriculture, Food & Drink, Consultancy & Professional Services, Creative Industries, Digital & Technology, Education & EdTech, Export Services, Financial Services & FinTech, Healthcare, Infrastructure & Engineering, Low Carbon Energy and Retail & Consumer Goods.
Entries close at 11.59pm on Sunday, 9th March 2025. Enter today!
Made in the UK, Sold to the Indo-Pacific: Meet the Experts 2025
Want to hear from market experts, sector specialists and other companies about export opportunities in the Indo-Pacific?
The Made in the UK Sold to the Indo-Pacific Roadshow 2025 is the ideal platform to engage, interact and learn how to grow your business in this region.
Manchester - Thursday, 6th March 2025 - 09:30-13:00
Leeds - Monday, 10th March 2025 - 09:30-13:00
Register here.
Africa Business Group Spotlights: Morocco and Egypt
Thursday, 30th January 2025 - 10:30-12:00, Online
Last chance to register. Don't miss out on an informative and interactive online session.
Both markets offer great opportunities for UK businesses to export services and high-quality products.
Register here.
Opportunities in France: Civil Nuclear
Tuesday, 11th February 2025 - 10:00-14:00 - Warrington
Join the first in a series of events, designed to provide you with a detailed overview of the Civil Nuclear industry in France and the vast opportunities it presents for UK businesses within a variety of sectors.
Register here.
European Market Insights: Opportunities and Support
Wednesday, 12th February 2025 - 10:00-13:00 - Leeds
Join us at our event, hosted by His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Europe Chris Barton, where we will explore trading opportunities for your business in Europe, including non-EU countries.
Register here.
Doing Business in the English Speaking Caribbean: Virtual Meet the Experts
Monday, 17th - Friday, 21st February 2025, Online
Following on from the UK Export Academy 'Get your business ready for the English speaking Caribbean' webinar on Thursday, 6th February 2025, the meetings will provide a unique opportunity to access tailored advice and support to expand your business into these markets.
Register here.
Meet the African Infrastructure Contractors Roadshow
London - Tuesday, 17th and Wednesday, 18th February 2025
Cardiff - Wednesday, 19th February 2025
Manchester - Thursday 20th February 2025
Gain insights into a range of major infrastructure projects, due to be delivered across the African continent. Meet face-to-face with supply chain businesses during the second edition of the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) roadshow.
Register here.
Upcoming Trade Mission
North of England Technology Trade Mission to the Netherlands
Tuesday, 11th March - Friday, 14th March 2025
Join us for a trade mission to the Netherlands and explore the opportunities available in the growing Dutch technology sector.
Meet and network with valuable contacts from the global tech ecosystem, gain valuable insight from partner organisations and understand the in-market support available for your business.
Registrations close on Friday, 14th February 2025.
Find out more here.
Start your 2025 export journey with the UK Export Academy: Introducing 'How to Export'.
How to Export is our new 10-part series. Perfect for businesses at any stage of their export journey, this comprehensive series covers topics like choosing markets, finding customers, securing contracts, and ensuring successful payment.
This is ideal for:
First-time exporters starting their international journey.
Companies eager to expand into new markets.
Experienced exporters looking to sharpen their skills and refresh their knowledge or for their staff.
Find out more here.
News and updates
Top UK business leaders, job creators and Post Office campaigners awarded in the King’s 2025 New Year Honours List
Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, congratulates those who have been honoured for their innovation, excellence and leadership in growing the UK economy: 'The business leaders in the New Year’s Honours List and their companies are the lifeblood of our economy and those receiving awards should be very proud of what they have achieved and for flying the flag both at home and abroad'.
Click here to read the full honours list.
New protections for British food and drink in Japan
The UK secures special protected status as geographical indications for a further 39 British food and drink products in Japan.
These protections will safeguard British food and drink products with a distinct local identity, supporting jobs and tourism in mainly rural areas and boosting local growth, as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
Read more here.
£2 billion boost to growth as UK joins major trade group
The UK has officially joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as a fully-fledged member, potentially boosting the UK economy by £2 billion a year in the long run.
CPTPP’s entry comes as the UK edges closer to securing trade deals with partners such as the Gulf Cooperation Council, India, Switzerland and South Korea.
Read more here.
Events and news from around the network
Japan-UK Women’s Economic Empowerment Seminar 2025
Thursday, 6th February 2025 - 09:00-11:30, Online
Join us in partnership with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a virtual Seminar as part of a joint commitment to promote women's economic empowerment. The online seminar supports the delivery of our joint recognition of the importance of sharing diverse experiences to reduce the systemic barriers faced by women seeking to trade internationally.
Register here.
German Games Delegation to Manchester
Tuesday, 25th February 2025 - 11:00-15:00 - Blue Tower, Media City, Manchester, M50 2ST
Join us in partnership with Game Republic and Creative Loop at an event bringing together North of England and German games companies. The delegation is a mixture of gaming studios, publishers and agencies, who are looking at collaborating with UK companies. The day will include presentations from local stakeholders and the chance for you to book 1-2-1 meetings with the German companies.
Click here to register.
