I am proud of our Welsh businesses that continue to excel at doing business on the international stage. As a government, we will go on celebrating, supporting and advocating for Welsh exporters whose work is essential, not only to recovery, but to our prospects for long term growth.
While pressing for a pragmatic approach to UK trade built on values and evidence, the Welsh Government has responded to the turbulence of recent years with practical, expert help for Welsh businesses. In December 2020 we chose to launch the Export Action Plan for Wales, setting out how we would go about supporting Welsh exporters and those companies looking to export for the first time.
As part of this strategy, in the summer of 2021 we launched our New Exporters Programme. The programme focuses on increasing the exporter base in Wales by providing dedicated trade support to a cohort of new, fledgling or reactive exporters identified as having products or services that are capable of being exported.
The annual programme, which lasts around 10 months, selects companies from a range of sectors across Wales. The participants receive intensive support from experienced mentors to develop capability and capacity to export, with the wider goal of helping them become successful and sustainable exporters. Each year’s cohort also participates in a Welsh Government trade mission to allow members to put their newly acquired skills and knowledge to use.
A cohort of 13 new exporters attended a trade mission to the Netherlands in November 2022. The companies involved had limited export experience overall but were ambitious about their potential. The trade mission was highly successful and has already generated international sales opportunities and partnerships for those who took part.
One of the attendees, LIMB-art, a Denbighshire based design and manufacturing company who produce innovative prosthetic leg covers, was particularly successful while on the mission. Founded in 2018 by former Paralympic swimmer and medallist, Mark Williams and his wife Rachael, LIMB-art was born out of a desire to help other prosthetic users and raise their confidence and pride. While on the trip Mark struck a deal with an exclusive distributor for LIMB-art in the Netherlands and secured orders from two companies, opening the door to a brand new market for the business.
Another graduate of the programme is Cardiff-based beauty brand, Mallows Beauty, which recently announced that it has landed its first deal in the US. The company has signed a contract to supply Urban Outfitters stores across the US and the deal will see its products sold in 177 locations.
As part of the New Exporters Programme, Mallows received support from the Welsh Government, including help with market research, and assistance setting up meetings with suppliers and distributors, including those that the company has confirmed in the US.
This success is a great example of why the New Exporters Programme was included in our Export Action Plan and why trade missions that deliver real-life tangible experience of operating in international markets, are one of the cornerstones of our export services and strategy.
Closer to home, there is a regular calendar of events designed to further support our exporters to trade successfully overseas and inspire a whole new generation of Welsh exporting companies. Our signature annual export conference – Explore Export Wales 2023 – is taking place tomorrow at Cardiff City Stadium, with its north Wales counterpart to follow next week at The Village Hotel in Ewloe, Flintshire on March 16th.
I am very much looking forward to attending tomorrow’s event and whilst there, I will also be unveiling details of the Welsh Government’s plans for export support in 2023/24.
The conferences will deliver the very latest information and advice on exporting and will feature discussions with successful Welsh exporters; bookable one-to-one sessions with market representatives from around the globe; export seminars across a wide range of topics; as well as a full exhibition from organisations that make up the Export Ecosystem in Wales. This is a great chance for businesses to access the comprehensive range of support for Welsh companies to develop their exports.
Wales has so much to offer the world with a distinctive brand built on quality and ambition. Wales’ longstanding and more recent export strengths - from aerospace to TV and film – support the foundations that allow us to open doors for new exporters who are bolstering that brand week in, week out. As Wales’ Economy Minister I will continue to celebrate, support and advocate for our exporters who make an essential contribution to our economic wellbeing.
While we continue to live in turbulent times, the resilience Welsh exporters have demonstrated over the past few years is extraordinary. As a government, we’re doing all we can to support them on their continued path forward, as they blaze a trail through international markets.
For more information about the Explore Export Wales conferences, search Explore Export Wales 2023 and for more on Business Wales’ export services
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