Open to Export

File:Lesley Batchelor .jpg

The site launched in beta in May 2012;{{cite web|first=Kevin|last=Coleman|title=Alliantus gets early invite from Open to Export|url=http://www.alliantus.com/mini-blog/alliantus-gets-early-invite-from-open-to-export/|publisher=Alliantus|accessdate=10 December 2012}} during this time Open to Export limited the business sectors to technology, and the overseas markets to the US and India.

The site officially launched in October 2012.{{cite web|last=UKTI|title=Online service for small businesses launched|url=http://www.ukti.gov.uk/pt_pt/export/howwehelp/item/396500.html?null|publisher=UKTI|accessdate=10 December 2012}}{{cite web|first=Abigail|last=Van-West|title=UKTI launches free online service to boost international trade|url=http://www.growingbusiness.co.uk/ukti-launches-free-online-service-to-boost-international-trade.html|publisher=Growing Business|accessdate=10 December 2012}} At the time of launch, Lord Green, then Minister of State for Trade and Investment, said: "Supporting more small and medium-sized enterprises to export is a key part of the government's plan for growth,"{{cite news|last=Telegraph|title=Better Future for Britain in the pipeline|url=http://jobs.telegraph.co.uk/article/4081309/better-future-for-britain-in-the-pipeline/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212101055/http://jobs.telegraph.co.uk/article/4081309/better-future-for-britain-in-the-pipeline/|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 February 2013|publisher=Telegraph.co.uk|accessdate=10 December 2012|location=London}} and went on to say "Half of the UK's exports, by value, already come from SMEs. Open to Export will provide practical assistance, advice and support to other businesses looking to make that crucial first step to sell into foreign markets."{{cite web|first=Rachel|last= Miller|title=Also in the news this week — 2nd November 2012|url=http://www.startupdonut.co.uk/news/startup/also-in-the-news-this-week-2nd-november-2012|publisher=Startup Donut|accessdate=10 December 2012}}

Ownership of Open to Export was taken on by the Institute of Export & International Trade in April 2017.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

The 'Export Action Plan{{Cite web|url=https://opentoexport.com/info/export-action-plan/|title=Open to Export - Export Action Plan Information|website=opentoexport.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-11-20}}' is an online planning tool on Open to Export that sets goals for businesses along the five simple steps to export success, from getting started to delivery and documentation. Once completed, the company can download a PDF report of their export strategy, which they can take to their bank, adviser, or submit to Open to Export's quarterly competitions.{{Cite web|url=https://opentoexport.com/info/export-action-plan-competition/|title=Open to Export - Export Action Plan Competition Info|website=opentoexport.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-11-20}}

Open to Export runs quarterly competitions encouraging businesses to complete their 'Export Action Plans'. 10 finalists are invited to a showcase final, with one winner being selected by a panel of expert judges to win a cash prize and further support prizes towards the implementation of their plans.

Open to Export has run eight UK-only competitions and one global competition – the 'Open to Export International Business Awards'. The Open to Export International Business Awards were run with the support of the World Trade Organisation and the International Chamber of Commerce. The Institute of Export & International Trade were named a 'Small Business Champion' by the WTO and ICC upon the completion of the competition.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news18_e/sbc_04oct18_e.htm|title=WTO and ICC announce new Small Business Champion|access-date=2018-11-20|language=en}}

The 10th Export Action Plan competition was opened in November 2019.

Previous winners include: Charles Farris,{{Cite web|url=http://opentoexport.com/blog/export-action-plan-final-january-20th/|title=Export Action Plan Final - January 20th - Open to Export|website=opentoexport.com|date=21 January 2016 |language=en-GB|access-date=2018-11-20}} Klick2Learn,{{Cite web|url=http://opentoexport.com/blog/export-action-plan-case-study-klik2learn/|title=Export Action Plan Case Study: Klik2Learn - Open to Export|website=opentoexport.com|date=6 July 2016 |language=en-GB|access-date=2018-11-20}} Lick Frozen Yogurt,{{Cite web|url=http://opentoexport.com/blog/export-action-plan-case-study-lick-frozen-yogurt/|title=Export Action Plan Case Study: Lick Frozen Yogurt - Open to Export|website=opentoexport.com|date=29 November 2016 |language=en-GB|access-date=2018-11-20}} First Chop Brewing Arm,{{Cite web|url=http://opentoexport.com/blog/export-action-plan-food-drink-final-report-20-march/|title=Export Action Plan food and drink final report - 20 March - Open to Export|website=opentoexport.com|date=23 March 2017 |language=en-GB|access-date=2018-11-20}} Genevieve Sweeney,{{Cite web|url=http://opentoexport.com/blog/export-action-plan-east-england-report-22-march/|title=Export Action Plan East of England report – 22 March - Open to Export|website=opentoexport.com|date=27 March 2017 |language=en-GB|access-date=2018-11-20}} The Great British Baby Company,{{Cite web|url=http://opentoexport.com/blog/tech-meets-creative-final/|title=Export Action Plan: Tech meets Creative report – 30 March - Open to Export|website=opentoexport.com|date=31 March 2017 |language=en-GB|access-date=2018-11-20}} Bubblebum (UK) Ltd,{{Cite web|url=https://www.export.org.uk/news/404650/BubbleBum-UK-Limited-win-the-latest-Open-to-Export-Action-Plan-Competition.htm|title=The Institute of Export and International Trade|website=The Institute of Export and International Trade|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-11-20}}{{Cite news|url=https://natwest.contentlive.co.uk/content/bubblebum-a-story-of-exporting-success|title=BubbleBum: a story of exporting success|work=ContentLive|access-date=2018-11-20|language=en-gb}} and Dytech Limited (Zambia).{{Cite web|url=https://opentoexport.com/blog/dytech-limited-win-the-open-to-export-international-business-awards/|title=Dytech Limited win the Open to Export International Business Awards - Open to Export|website=opentoexport.com|date=8 October 2018 |language=en-GB|access-date=2018-11-20}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news18_e/sbc_04oct18_e.htm|title=WTO and ICC announce new Small Business Champion|access-date=2018-11-20|language=en}}

• Export
• Trade
• International trade
• List of countries by exports

{{Reflist}}

• [http://opentoexport.com Open to Export]

Category:Business organisations based in the United Kingdom