Julian has welcomed businesses from across Yorkshire to Ripon for the first UK Trade and Investment Regional Export Fair.
Organised by the Government agency responsible for promoting overseas trade for British companies, the Export Fair, which was attended by over 100 companies took place at Ripon Racecourse.
Businesses from across Yorkshire heard about the opportunities from trading with international countries for them, their businesses and the wider UK economy.
Julian gave the keynote speech at the event, during which he said:
“The Government has set the ambitious target of increasing the level of international trade for £1 trillion by 2020 and events like this Export Fair show our commitment to ensuring that boost benefits companies across the United Kingdom.
“Exports from Yorkshire totalled more than £4bn in the first quarter of 2014 but there is still a long way to go and much more we can do to ensure businesses here are capitalising on the opportunities of selling their products and services overseas.
“In this fast changing world, every business wanting to survive and grow has to ensure they can compete on an international level and I hope this Export Fair helps them achieve that.”