East Midlands food and drink firms were given advice on how to
exploit overseas opportunities at an event that turned the
spotlight on exporting.
A range of producers from the region attended the session, which
was run by UK Trade & Investment at Newark Showground in
Nottinghamshire.
It featured presentations from Leicester snack company Farsan
Ltd, which is already successfully exporting, from Food and Drink
Forum food technical manager Richard Wigley, who is an expert in
labelling requirements, and from logistics company Mardon plc.
"Export is currently top of the government's growth agenda, and
we aim to encourage firms to consider overseas opportunities as a
way of expanding and becoming more profitable," said Bob O'Meara,
international trade adviser for UKTI.
"The event provided food for thought for companies that are
considering exporting or have just started."
Among the delegates at the event were a pork pie manufacturer, a
gourmet food producer, a ready meals manufacturer and a rape seed
oil producer.
It was aimed at small and medium-sized food and drink
manufacturers from Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire,
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland, and featured
workshops, a case study presentation and networking
opportunities.
UKTI is the government department that works with UK-based
companies to ensure their success in international markets, and
encourages the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their
global partner of choice.