To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether he will set up business engagement groups for exporters and potential exporters on a (a) country and (b) sectoral basis.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) conducts a wide range of engagement with businesses in a range of fora, including regular meetings with the major trade bodies and representative groups across business sectors, to ensure that it maintains effective engagement on sectoral and country issues. DIT recently convened the Board of Trade to engage across the UK and ensure the benefits of trade are enjoyed across the UK, with advice from representatives of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Department also ensures it has a comprehensive understanding of sectoral and geographic issues through its sector teams, Geographical Hubs and network of 177 international posts; and relationships with individual firms. To further strengthen the international perspective the Department is appointing nine Trade Commissioners. The Department routinely engages through these groups and with individual firms to discuss exporting issues.