British SME topic
The government is asking businesses for evidence on future trade relationships with Indonesia, the Philippines, the UAE and Uruguay. Smaller exporters have until 14 September 2026 to feed in practical barriers and opportunities.
The government says the Growth Guarantee Scheme will support significantly more SME lending by 2028/29. For small firms, the practical question is how to prepare before approaching lenders.
UK Export Finance and the British Business Bank plan a new scheme for smaller exporters. It will not launch until spring, but SMEs can start preparing the evidence lenders will expect.
UK Export Finance says it backed more than GBP11 billion of financing last year. For SMEs, the key question is whether export finance, guarantees or insurance could unlock viable overseas orders.
The government wants faster routes for testing and commercialising new products. For SMEs, the value will depend on clear regulator access, practical sandboxes and fair routes into pilots.