It's quite remarkable that it's now 15 years since the BSIA was first granted Department of Trade and Industry ‘Approved Sponsor’ status. Initially, this allowed UK security companies to qualify for Government grants to participate in BSIA-sponsored UK Pavilions in overseas security trade exhibitions, thus opening up huge export opportunities worldwide.

Since 1991, the BSIA has co-ordinated UK Pavilions at over 75 overseas security trade shows worldwide. Linked with this, back in 1995 the Association started organising “table-top” events in conjunction with specific British Embassies, allowing UK security companies to approach markets as diverse as Austria, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Spain, Portugal and the Lebanon.

These events have proven popular, with nearly 1,500 participations by UK security companies since they began. Consequently, there has been a dramatic increase in the value of UK security industry exports, resulting in approximately £300 million of security equipment being sold overseas each year.

Many BSIA Export Council members are now proud to say that export sales account for over 50% of their company’s annual turnover. Several would say 70%!

Over the next 18 months, the BSIA has devised a detailed schedule of events supported by UK Trade and Investment. One of the many reasons why the future is looking bright for UK exporters.

Source

SMT

Postscript

Peter Nicholls is overseas exhibitions co-ordinator at the British Security Industry Association