London’s small businesses have been urged to capitalise on their experience of delivering last year’s Olympic Games to win contracts for the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
The call for London businesses to sell their skills and products to Tokyo is part of a wider initiative to get more of the capital’s firms selling abroad, a development Mayor Boris Johnson says would play a vital part in growing the capital’s economy.
City Hall says it will support businesses looking for overseas opportunities by expanding its Export Programme, including hosting trade visits to Austria, South Africa and Kenya this year, and to Mexico in 2014.
Later this week a delegation of technology companies will head to Brazil to explore the commercial opportunities available for them in Rio, Campinas and Sao Paolo.
Mayor Johnson, said: “London is synonymous around the world with outstanding innovation and expertise. Our small businesses provide the foundation of that reputation and my team are determined to provide the assistance that will help them trade on the international stage.
“Every contract they sign and every Peso, Rand, Yen or Euro they win will help drive regeneration, create new jobs and spur growth in London.”
The Export Programme is funded by the London Enterprise Panel and delivered in partnership with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).
Parveen Thornhill, UKTI’s Regional Director for London, said: “The forthcoming trade missions we are planning for the Mayor’s Export Programme will help London companies win contracts and secure trade deals around the world. Our aim is to get more London companies exporting and help them grow their business.”
Deputy Mayor for Business and Enterprise, Kit Malthouse, added: “Around 80 per cent of people working in London work for small businesses and in many ways they are more important to the capital’s economy than the bigger household names, many of whom are already well established overseas.
“We want to help smaller firms do the same, and that is why we are doing our utmost to provide them with the support and the links to business opportunities both at home and abroad, which will result in deals that can help expand the capital’s economy.”
