Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent steps the Government has taken to enable small businesses in the East Midlands to increase their exports.

In the East Midlands a network of 24 experienced International Trade Advisers provide DIT's face to face service, supported by UK Export Finance Advisors when appropriate. They provide new and existing exporters with practical exporting advice and market know-how, and connect them to DIT's trade missions, sector specialists and wider international network.

Additionally, peer to peer support is provided through DIT's Export Champion community, part of the Exporting is GREAT campaign. East Midlands has 34 business leaders with a record of export success who help us to inspire other local businesses on their exporting journey: "if we can, you can".

The Exporting is GREAT campaign works closely with hundreds of UK companies and scores of partners to encourage more companies to start exporting or to export more. Further information on how DIT supports UK exporters can be found at www.great.gov.uk.