Free export advice as export hub visits Highlands
17th August 2016
The Export Hub is a UK Government initiative backed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI).
It is currently touring Scotland and will be in Sleat on Skye on Wednesday 31 August; Cairndow 29 August; Inverness 2 September; and Forres 5 September.
Businesses will be able to access advice from experts about how to sell overseas and which markets offer the greatest potential. They can also hear from experienced exporters and arrange one-on-one meetings with export advisers.
Martin Johnson, regional head of international trade and investment at Highlands and Islands Enterprise said: "Exporting is a theme that runs across the commercial sector in the Highlands and Islands and there is huge potential to build on that. Indeed it is essential that we do. The dramatic increase in digital connectivity in the region is enabling more and more businesses to connect with global markets more easily. The Export Hub offers businesses a chance to explore new opportunities to market their products and services overseas. I certainly hope and expect many will take up this opportunity and pay a visit to the hub while it's in the region."
The Exporting is GREAT campaign began in November 2015, and the Export Hub toured Scotland in February and March visiting Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh. This second visit demonstrates the joint commitment of the UK and Scottish Governments to support Scottish businesses as they explore the potential of foreign markets.
The campaign encourages companies interested in selling overseas to search online for the Exporting is GREAT website.
Via this website, they can access and apply for export opportunities that are being uploaded at a rate of one every 37 minutes by UK Government's network in over 100 markets overseas. So far, around the UK, over 30,000 export opportunities have been applied for.
Scottish businesses can also access help from dozens of Exporting is GREAT partners. These include major banks, logistics firms, currency converters and accountants, and also UK Export Finance, which aims to ensure that no viable export fails due to lack of insurance or finance.
UK Government works with both Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to support thousands of Scottish firms every year to export, and it helps to land the inward investment projects that create thousands of new jobs in Scotland each year.
Scotland Office Minister Lord Dunlop said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for Scottish firms to get the support they need to start exporting and grow their businesses. The Exporting is GREAT roadshow is taking the message to businesses right across Scotland that the demand for their products and services is there, as is the help they need to make exporting happen. It is a great example of the UK and Scottish governments working together for businesses in Scotland."
Local businesses wishing to attend this free event should register on http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/exporthubtour
Related Businesses
Related Articles
10/12/2025
How Development and Innovation Have Been Supported in the Highlands & Islands Over the Past 60 Years
For 60 years, the Highlands and Islands have been the focus of one of the UK's most distinctive long-term regional development efforts. Since the creation of the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB) in 1965—and its evolution into Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in 1991.
9/12/2025
Planning consent granted for Inverness Campus
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been granted planning permission in principle to progress the second and final phase of development at Inverness Campus. The consent is subject to a Section 75 agreement being finalised between HIE and The Highland Council.9/12/2025
Island Business Resilience Fund expansion
Businesses affected by ferry disruption in Coll, Tiree, the Small Isles, Mull, Iona, Ulva, Barra, Vatersay, Islay and Jura can now access financial support. The £4.4 million Islands Business Resilience Fund (IBRF) is expanding to support more businesses experiencing economic impacts linked to travel issues.8/12/2025
What the NC500 Research Projects Are Designed to Do - and Why They Matter for the Highlands
As the North Coast 500 approaches its tenth anniversary, it has become one of Scotland's most well-known tourism success stories. The 516-mile loop around the far north of the Highlands has been celebrated internationally, marketed as a world-class road trip, and credited with transforming visitor numbers in some of Scotland’s most remote areas.28/11/2025
Workforce North event spotlights Highland economy
EMPLOYERS and educators from across the Highlands have gathered to hear how a new initiative is aiming to transform the region's economy. Workforce North - A Call to Action brought together business leaders and teachers from primary and secondary schools from across the Highland Council area with a wide range of partners geared towards education, learning and skills development at Strathpeffer Pavillion.
25/11/2025
Tartan challenge for UHI students offers £1,500 prize
Students from across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) partnership have been challenged to design a tartan and be in with a chance of winning a £1,500 cash prize. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has launched THE COMPETITION to mark 60 years since the regional development agency (then named Highlands and Islands Development Board) was established in November 1965.
25/11/2025
The Rural AI Roadshow - How AI can help your rural business thrive
Scotland's enterprise agencies (Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise) The Scottish AI Alliance and The Data Lab have joined forces to plan and deliver an inspiring and educational Rural AI Roadshow. There will be three, one day, Rural AI Roadshow conferences taking place across Scotland in January 2026.
25/11/2025
Digital and AI innovation round-up for November
Scotland's digital future is accelerating, with AI and tech innovation transforming businesses. In this blog, HIE's Theresa Swayne shares November insights on funding, leadership, and how organisations can harness technology to stay ahead.
25/11/2025
Reflections from SEWF Rural: global lessons for the Highlands and Islands social impact economy
As we mark 60 years since the region's economic and community development agency was established, it's timely to reflect on the global aspects of our work on shaping rural futures. The recent Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) Rural Gathering in Sabah, Malaysia, welcomed changemakers from Australia, Ireland, India, Canada.
19/11/2025
Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Guide - FREE To Download
Scottish Enterprise's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Guide provides an overview of more than 150 organisations that support new and growing companies in Scotland. The guide includes incubators, accelerators, specialist industry programmes, co-working spaces and networking organisations.
Our Social Media
