East of England takes international stage

Food and drink companies in the east of England are to receive a boost in their efforts to export their products overseas, thanks to Food from Britain (FFB) winning a contract to deliver part of the East of England Development Agency's (EEDA) international trade programme.

FFB’s international trade project will help companies win new business overseas through a range of activities including assisted attendance at international exhibitions, one-to-one meetings with market experts, and partner searches and introductions through its close relationships with the international food and drink trade.

Charlotte Lawson, FFB’s Director of Business and UK Services, is excited by the project. “We are delighted to be working in partnership with EEDA and other organisations in the East of England, to help the region's food and drink companies compete more effectively on the international stage.  Both exporters and non-exporters will benefit from a tailored programme of support designed to help them realise the benefits of a diversified customer base and the potential to increase sales and achieve greater margins."

David Hackett, EEDA's business support executive for the rural economy said: "The East of England agriculture, food and drink sector is hugely diverse, with a vast array of specialist niche producers as well as large-scale manufacturers.  Increasing international trade support is one of the main the main themes of the strategy to develop this critical business sector and we encourage businesses to use the Food from Britain service that we are making available in the East of England."

The project is part of a suite of business support, commissioned by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), to help food and drink businesses increase productivity by developing overseas markets. FFB is delivering the programme in conjunction with East of England International (EEI), the Home-Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA), and the International Agriculture and Technology Centre. The programme .runs until March 2009 and will be launched with five regional events, run in conjunction with EEI, across the east of England starting in June 2007.

For further information on how you can profit from the scheme, contact Richard Sainter at FFB on rsainter@foodfrombritain.co.uk.

Ends

Notes for editors:

1. Food from Britain (FFB), the market development consultancy, helps some 900 British food and drink companies each year to build their international business.  For further information visit: www.foodfrombritain.com.

2. This project is part of a suite of business support, commissioned by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), to help food and drink businesses increase productivity by developing overseas markets.

08 May 2007