South: NatWest pledges to help businesses export

NatWest has pledged to help at least 15,000 UK businesses export their goods or enter overseas markets by 2020.  In support it will proactively work with UK Export Finance (UKEF) to provide export finance to help companies secure £2.5 billion of overseas contracts within the next four years.7

With British goods and services in demand around the world, NatWest’s pledges will support the Government’s Exporting is GREAT initiative, which aims to help 100,000 businesses start trading overseas by 2020.

Beyond its main pledges, NatWest will deliver regional workshops for businesses across the UK, highlighting specific growth opportunities; working closely with UKTI and UKEF to make it easier for businesses to apply for schemes and secure funding for exporting; and in particular it will encourage and support women in business in their efforts to expand and grow business overseas. 

Alison Rose, CEO of commercial and private banking at NatWest, said: “Businesses trading only in Britain limit their revenue potential to the UK, but each new overseas market represents a new possible source of income. Among other benefits, it also allows companies to spread risk across different business environments. 

Lord Price, minister of state for trade and investment, said: “The Government and the banking sector share a joint aim – to help budding exporters realise their dreams of building a global business.”