BSIA: Tips on growing your business abroad from security export specialists
In a challenging economic climate, exploring opportunities in overseas markets can provide a welcome source of growth for many UK-based businesses. With the world market for security and fire protection valued at around £176.8bn[1] and the UK ranked sixth in the global security export business, exporting is becoming an increasingly attractive option for UK-based security companies looking to generate growth.
With this in mind, raising awareness in overseas markets of the quality of UK security products and services is a key function of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) – the trade association representing the UK’s private security industry – and in particular its Export Council, a dedicated forum for BSIA member companies who are focused on extending their local business to overseas markets.
According to a recent market report by research company, Keynote, there are significant opportunities for the UK’s share of the global security market to increase in the coming years. As such, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has developed a ‘Top Ten Tips’ guide to provide valuable advice to UK security companies interested in developing their business links abroad.
John Davies, Chairman of the BSIA’s Export Council, comments: “However enthusiastic companies may be, there are many challenges that they may face when developing their business abroad. Market forces, timing and cultural factors can conspire to have a significant impact on exporting opportunities, so research and preparation is essential.
“For UK security companies considering taking the first steps towards exporting their products and services, members of the BSIA’s specialist Export Council have compiled their top ten tips for getting started, which includes advice on making and developing contacts, how to get the best out of UKTI and British Embassies, and what pitfalls to avoid.”
The handy one-page guide can be downloaded from the BSIA’s website, where interested parties can also find out more about the BSIA’s Export Council and its work in promoting UK security companies to overseas buyers.
[1] Keynote, Security Industry Market Report, 2010
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