To mark UKTI Export Week, from November 10 to 14, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) stresses its support for UK security exporters as part of its political engagement in the run-up to the 2015 General Election.
Priorities for the trade body include reinforcing the value of Trade Access Programme (TAP) funding for small businesses to gain a foothold in export markets, and forging closer links with Government departments, Ambassadors and trade envoys.
James Kelly, pictured, Chief Executive of the BSIA, says: “The UK’s private security industry is playing an increasingly important role on the world stage as the global market continues to create new opportunities and growing demand for ‘Best of British’ products and services. For many BSIA members, exporting was a lifeline during the recession, and many of them now export as much as 70 per cent of their business abroad.”
International markets such as the Middle East have thrived during the economic downturn, the association reports. In a recent survey of the BSIA’s Export Council, more than 80pc of respondents agreed that exporting had become more important to their businesses during the recession, with many going further to report an increase in overseas business between 2012 and 2013. Performance for this year looks positive too, the BSIA adds, with economic recovery aiding growth in the UK and abroad.
The BSIA operates an Export Council, as a forum for relationships between the UK’s security industry and overseas buyers, and acts as a port of call for overseas-based contacts interested in developing a relationship with the a UK company, as partner, customer or distributor.
Chairman of the BSIA’s Export Council, Elmdene International Ltd’s Ian Moore, says: “According to UKTI’s security export strategy, the value of the global security market is forecast to rise to £571 billion in 2016 through projected growth of 9pc. The Government has pledged to double overall UK exports to £1 trillion by 2020 which can only help push projected growth in the global security market past the 9pc target. This positive outlook is reinforced by experiences of BSIA members who export, with more than 90% expecting their overseas business to increase during 2014/15. UKTI figures also estimate that UK security exporters now enjoy a 4.2pc share of the global market for security products and services which is also projected to grow in line with projected growth for the global security market.
“One of the most significant markets for our members is the Middle East, recognising that the region has a fast-growing economy and a strong reputation for British goods and services, thus giving BSIA members a head start when it comes to exporting, when compared with other global competitors.”
To emphasise the value of the Middle East to Association members, BSIA Chief Executive James Kelly will soon be meeting with the First Secretary of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in London to discuss how members can make the most of this emerging market and promote the BSIA at a higher level in the UAE. Mr Kelly said: “I look forward to meeting with the First Secretary to promote bilateral trade between BSIA members in the UK and businesses, customers and distributors in the UAE. The Middle East is continuing to grow as a leading market for our members to export to and it is important that this is recognised at the appropriate levels of government, both at home and abroad.”
For those members of the BSIA who are new to exporting, the BSIA assists with TAP (Tradeshow Access Programme) funding, which provides grants for eligible businesses to attend overseas tradeshows. It helps members to gain market knowledge, build experience of trade shows and get advice from trade experts. Two thirds of BSIA members who exhibited abroad in 2013 took advantage of TAP funding; however, it was recently announced that UKTI’s ‘Passport to Export’ service has had a reduction in funding. As part of its political engagement ahead of the 2015 General Election, the BSIA is highlighting this issue with key parliamentarians to ensure that TAP funding continues for SMEs to enable many small businesses – including BSIA members – to continue to benefit.
At a recent meeting with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office, Karen Bradley, the minister with responsibility for security exports, James Kelly pressed the importance of TAP funding to BSIA members and to the wider UK economy. Mr Kelly added: “This government has committed itself to doubling UK exports to £1 trillion by 2020 and has stated that exporting is a way out of these austere times. It goes completely against the government’s strategy to be cutting this funding at such a crucial time for our businesses and we will continue to push this message to all levels of government.”
For more on the BSIA’s Export Council: http://www.bsia.co.uk/export-council/about-bsia-export-council.
