Strengthening ties between the North East and LATAC

Home to a group of fast-growing, dynamic and vibrant economies, comprising of over 40 countries, the Latin America and the Caribbean (LATAC) region poses an exciting opportunity for North East businesses across a diverse range of sectors.

Focused on learning more about the increasing trade and export opportunities between both regions, Jonathan Knott, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean and British Consul General, Sao Paulo, visited the North East in December 2024 to meet with growing companies.

Responsible for boosting levels of trade between the UK and LATAC, Jonathan and his team of almost 300 staff, are based across 20 countries from Brazil to Mexico. On his recent visit to the North East of England, Jonathan started with a trip to Darlington, the second HQ of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). Jonathan also participated in a roundtable discussion with healthcare and life science companies in Newcastle.

Through direct engagement with the companies, Jonathan was able to understand what the North East has to offer, as well as highlighting opportunities and the support available in LATAC.

Concluding his visit with a factory tour at Pearson Engineering, a world leader in delivering combat engineering, battlefield mobility and counter-mobility equipment for armoured vehicles, Jonathan commented:

“(the visit) was a fantastic opportunity to see the full range of support that we offer, speaking to a wide range of companies that have moved to invest and grow in the UK, to exporters that are already doing business in LATAC and ready to grow further, and finally to newer companies that are starting to look to exporting to the region, and understanding how we can better support them.”

Thomas Waite, Head of UK Land Defence Manufacturing at Pearson Engineering said:

“It was a pleasure to welcome His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner, Jonathan Knott, to Pearson Engineering last month. Pearson Engineering has a long history of providing support to the LATAC region. Export is an important part of Pearson Engineering’s business and visits like these are invaluable.”

In addition, North East businesses can tap into an exclusive programme, designed to drive business growth and enhance your capabilities for international trade. Working with the North East Combined Authority (NECA), businesses can attend a local ‘Introduction to Export’ workshop, to help you start your overseas trade journey.

Please note these workshops are open to businesses based in the North East Combined Authority area only (Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, Northumberland, County Durham, South Tyneside, North Tyneside).

DBT teams are spread locally across the UK and around the world, ensuring you have localised support available to start selling internationally and take advantage of the demand out there.

With programmes like the UK Export Academy, information and resources on great.gov.uk or the International Trade Adviser service, you can make sure you are ready to make your first or latest international sale.

Businesses can also access government-backed funding through UK Export Finance – our award-winning export credit agency.

To get started today, contact us on dbtnph@businessandtrade.go v.uk or call us on +44 (0) 20 4566 5206 and find out how the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) can help your business prosper.