As part of the UK Government’s ambition to boost trade globally, UK Export Finance offers increased financial support to Scottish businesses and local economies
As part of the UK Government’s ambition to boost trade globally, UK Export Finance (UKEF) can now provide increased financial support that will benefit Scottish exporters seeking to win business in over 100 countries worldwide.
Recently, family-run manufacturer, BHC Ltd, based in Scotland, benefitted from UKEF support. UKEF provided £70m of support for Contracta Construction UK to build the Kumasi market in Ghana. To access UKEF’s support, Contracta sourced goods and services from the UK supply chain, including BHC Ltd.
BHC Ltd. won a £20m export contract to provide 8000 tonnes of steelwork and 100,000m2 of metal decking for the Kumasi Market after being introduced to Contracta at a UKEF-run Supplier Fair event, which has generated growth and opportunities for the business.
Brian Hewitt, Managing Director, BHC Ltd said:
UK Government Minister for Scotland David Duguid said:
UKEF connected more than 500 UK suppliers with international projects through its supplier fair programme in 2019/20, and will continue to do so following the recent expansion of its capacity to provide export finance and support to more countries.
Countries that can benefit from UKEF’s increased capacity to provide export finance include Egypt, Paraguay, Serbia, Uganda and Vietnam – allowing the UK government’s export agency to support a diverse range of international projects that will increase UK trade and create opportunities for Scottish business.
This includes enabling UKEF to support more renewable projects overseas and providing opportunities for UK suppliers to be at the heart of the green industrial revolution, following the allocation of £2 billion of direct lending to finance green projects in the latest budget.
UKEF provides support to UK exports through guarantees, loans and insurance and is strategically positioned to provide competitive financing to overseas companies looking to do business with the UK. UKEF will continue to work with UK businesses to maximise the supply of UK goods and services into international projects, creating new trading opportunities for UK suppliers.
In 2019/20, UKEF provided £4.4 billion of support for UK exports, which included over £300 million in financing for wind farms in Taiwan, £110 million for a new maternity hospital in Ghana and £40 million to rehabilitate 83 kilometres of road in Gabon. As a result of its increased risk appetite, UKEF can now support a greater number of projects in a wide range of overseas markets.
Exports Minister Graham Stuart said: