A COMPANY from St Neots that has increased its export business by 40 per cent in the past two years is set to tell other firms how to win overseas business. Chromatography and liquid handling supply company Kinesis, which employs 65 staff, recently return

A COMPANY from St Neots that has increased its export business by 40 per cent in the past two years is set to tell other firms how to win overseas business.

Chromatography and liquid handling supply company Kinesis, which employs 65 staff, recently returned from a major exhibition in Dubai with a clutch of new orders. It will be held up as one of the stars at World Trade Week, from Monday, encouraging others to follow a similar path.

Kinesis puts much of its success down to its involvement in UK Trade & Investment's business support programme called 'Passport to Export', which is delivered by East of England International.

Kinesis marketing manager Matthew Cleeve said: "Local businesses should take advantage of the excellent opportunities that are available to them to get a foothold in foreign markets.

"EEI's international trade adviser Martin Keepfer has been very helpful each step of the way in helping us develop our overseas trade. We're using the extensive contacts, services and British Embassies facilities offered to us by UKTI to develop our business across many regions of the world, with significant success in many key regions as a result."

East of England International, the delivery arm of UK Trade and Investment for the East of England, is encouraging local businesses to take up opportunities to investigate and expand into overseas markets through programmes they offer such as 'Passport to Export' and 'Gateway to Global Growth'.

Martin Keepfer added: "Passport to Export is just one of the services that East of England International has on offer to help you make that first step into trading internationally. Even though we are in a recession, this is a perfect time for businesses to start venturing into overseas markets, and World Trade Week provides a great opportunity to kick start your business."

Aimed at new and inexperienced exporters, UKTI's Passport to Export programme offers free capability assessments, support in visiting potential markets, mentoring from a local export professional, free action plans, customised and subsidised training, and ongoing support throughout your exporting journey. The programme puts together in one simple process all the tools exporting companies need to grow their business.

World Trade Week highlights the importance of global trade in creating jobs and growth in the current economic climate, EEI said. It aims to raise the profile of the range of practical support available to UK businesses to make sure they continue to be vibrant global traders and investors in the future.

Major supporters include UK Trade and Investment, the British Chambers of Commerce and the CBI.

INFORMATION: About East of England International call 0845 641 9955 or visit www.eei-online.com. For more information about the week or to find out how to get involved visit www.dfid.gov.uk/worldtradeweekuk or www.berr.gov.uk/worldtradeweekuk