Trade Secretary Liam Fox will set target to help businesses sell their products and services abroad

TRADE chief Liam Fox will today set a new target to make Britain’s export sales worth more than a third of national output in a bid to boost post-Brexit trade.

In a speech laying out the UK’s exports strategy he will announce a package of reforms to help businesses sell their products and services abroad.

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The value of UK goods and services sold overseas hit a record £620 billion last year - and accounted for 30 per cent of our GDP.

Mr Fox, who yesterday visited a Sussex wine maker will outline a plan to increase this to 35 per cent after Britain leaves the EU.

The ambitious new target will help Britain turn into “a 21st century exporting superpower”, Mr Fox will say as he launches Britain’s export strategy in a speech in central London today.

Among the new measures will be an advertising campaign to boost the number of firms taking advantage of £50 billion worth of government-backed export finance and insurance support that helps them win overseas contracts. Firms will also be given online help to overcome non-tariff barriers they face when selling products abroad.

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Mr Fox said: “The United Kingdom is a great exporting nation and our exporters lead the way, in creating jobs, raising wages and growing our economy. “UK businesses are superbly placed to capitalise on the rapid changes in the global economic environment and I believe the UK has the potential to be a 21st century exporting superpower.

“As an international economic department, we are determined to support, connect and grow UK companies on the world stage through our international network. As we leave the EU, we must set our sights high and that is just what this Export Strategy will help us achieve.”

The Confederation of British Industry backed the plans but the Federation of Small Businesses said it was “concerning to see a lack of definitive, detailed interventions set out in the strategy”.

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