News: SYITC expands international trade service

South Yorkshire International Trade Centre (SYITC) has expanded its services and aims to create a more joined up approach to export support for businesses across the region.

SYITC is a partnership of all the South Yorkshire Chambers and offers broad support for businesses locally to grow their global market – a key area outlined in the proposals by the newly launched Local Enterprise Partnership.

Working with other organisations in the region all areas of international trade have been covered. UK Trade and Investment working on market development, Sheffield Hallam University on business strategy and research, South Yorkshire International Trade Forum running informative network events and Creative Sheffield developing strategic overseas relationships with other organisations providing specialist support and advice.

SYITC now looks to establish a string of additional core services to make their offering to members unique and enable it to add value to companies’ international trade departments.

Services will cover export training, translation, import and export advice, export documentation, international student placements, letters of credit services and an international trade office consultancy service, helping its clients concentrate on core business issues.

Stuart Steel, head of international trade at SYITC, said: "Delivery of this new plan will strengthen SYITC's position as a provider of key services to local importers and exporters, while looking to align ourselves better with export services provided by local and national bodies.

"By developing a partnership approach with local partners including UK Trade and Investment, Creative Sheffield, South Yorkshire International Trade Forum and Sheffield Hallam University, will help ensure all business needs are met."

Mark Robson, director of UK Trade and Investment Yorkshire and Humber, added: "International trade is a vital part of the economic recovery and the partnership will assist exporters to run the most efficient, cost effective international trade departments possible."

SYITC website

Images: syitc.com