UK Export Strategy
There’s a world of opportunity, matched by the UK’s export potential — our strongest export markets are typically found in markets like the United States or Europe.
However, the global economy is changing. Rapid economic growth in the Indo-Pacific region is shifting the world’s centre of economic gravity eastwards.
Exports are a critical part of our economy — exports support millions of jobs in the UK and there are important links between trade and productivity. This strategy will build the exporting capability of critical sectors, such as tech and clean economy to support the government’s Innovation Strategy, Net Zero Strategy and Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.
We are refreshing our approach to meet our trading context — our 2018 Export Strategy laid strong foundations for export policy, promotion and support. Since then, the trading environment has changed significantly.
Our ambition is to reach £1 trillion in exports annually — projections suggest that we will reach £1 trillion in exports annually by the mid-2030s. We can get there faster if we work together.
This strategy will be the joint framework for us to accelerate that race and grow our economy through exports. 05 Made in the UK, Sold to the World Delivering in partnership with business is critical — we will work with business on implementation and continue to challenge ourselves on improving our offer.
We will use existing governance to monitor implementation and use our new monitoring and evaluation framework to assess our progress.
Made in the UK, Sold to the World — the strategy comprises a 12-point plan which sets out the path that government will take to transform our offer and Build Back Better, allowing us to level up and project Global Britain, supporting strategic sectors. Among other initiatives the plan includes a range of new support measures, including the new Export Support Service (ESS) and the UK Export Academy.
We are ready to trade with our closest trading partners, emerging economies and developing markets — we know our work to open markets in the Indo-Pacific is critical if we want to maximise our comparative advantage and export performance. We will develop new relationships in these regions, for example through our accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), while also strengthening ties with other longstanding trading partners.
Our strategy is underpinned by core values — we take pride in our values, which align to exporting best practices, and which we will uphold and reflect in our trade agreements. We will not compromise our commitments to protect the environment and tackle climate change through trade and will continue to champion equality opportunity for all. We are also committed to upholding rules-based trade.
