This guidance is an explanation of UK-New Zealand FTA Chapter 24: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) make up 99% of UK businesses. However, they are often the most disadvantaged when it comes to making the most of trade opportunities in overseas markets, usually due to lack of time or resource.
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) commits both the UK and New Zealand to working together to specifically support SMEs to trade in each other’s markets. Including commitments to provide up-to-date, easy-to-access trading information online, and continue to work together to find ways to support international trading activities for SMEs.
SME support throughout the FTA
The FTA also includes ‘SME-friendly provisions’. These provisions (references to specific areas of trade policy which both Parties have agreed to) will be directly or indirectly helpful to SMEs looking to trade.
Links and additional guidance will be shared here in the future as they become available. In the meantime, if you are an SME looking to export to New Zealand, please refer to the existing Department for Business and Trade resources below for general export guidance.
- International Trade Advisers (ITAs) can support SMEs across England to build their exporting capability
- The Export Academy offer bespoke training programme and digital tools
- UK Export Finance helps ensure no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance