JANUARY 2024

Hello, As a registered user of the Lloyds Bank International Trade Portal, you continue to have free and unlimited access to a wide range of trade data and information to support your business at home and overseas. Helping Britain Prosper Welcome to the first Lloyds Bank International Trade Portal (ITP) newsletter of 2024. In this edition, we'll be focusing on the first digital transactions completed for Matalan Retail Ltd sparked by the new Electronic Trade Documents Act. Additionally, we'll reveal more about the new Big in America docuseries published by the Department for Business and Trade. We'll also take a look at the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and how it enables growth in the context of exporting. So, whether you're looking to learn more about the digitalisation of trade or book upcoming trade shows in your diary, Lloyds Bank is here to support your business as you fulfil your importing or exporting ambitions. Find out more by browsing our collection of news and valuable insights: Digitising Trade The Electronic Trade Documents Act (ETDA) came into force in September 2023 and Lloyds Bank are proud to be the first bank to have transacted under the new law. We completed a transaction for Matalan Retail Ltd via Enigio's trace: original solution. A digital promissory note was issued by Matalan to accept liability when settling a documentary collection for the purchase of garments from one of its suppliers. Using the technology, the key documents arrived two days earlier than they would have if the promissory note had been concluded on paper. Ed Collier, Head of Financial Reporting & Control at Matalan, said: "We are proud to have played our part in Lloyds Bank's first ever transaction under the ETDA. We welcome this move to digitisation as it will allow us to trade with our suppliers faster, more seamlessly and in a more sustainable way." To find out more, you can read our article on how to prepare for the implementation of digital trade, or contact our team. Open to the world According to the UK government, growth in the Indo-Pacific region is "shifting the world's centre of gravity eastwards" and by 2050, the region is expected to account for 56% of global economic growth in real terms. In March 2023, it was announced that the UK would be joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and will become part of the 11 country-strong trade bloc once the agreement has been ratified in the latter half of 2024. The agreement, which includes Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Vietnam, Peru, Malaysia, Chile and Brunei will not only enable the UK to access reduced trade tariffs for goods, it also establishes a new framework for rules involving investment, intellectual property, services, digital trade to name a few. A significant trade bloc in the Indo-Pacific region which now has a total GDP of £11 trillion. UK exports to CPTPP countries in the year preceding September 2022 already totalled £60.5 billion and the reduction in tariffs as a result of the UK's membership makes it likely that this figure will grow. Big in America Big in America is a new video docuseries from the UK government's Department of Business and Trade consisting of 5 episodes featuring a diverse range of SMEs from various sectors as they try to land their first export deal in the USA. Join host Alex Polizzi from Channel 5's The Hotel Inspector as she meets businesses from the four corners of the UK, all of whom have their sights set on doing business across the Atlantic. -   Episode 1: Thomas Wilday, founder of Willsow, pitches his plantable children's books to world-famous US bookstore Barnes & Nobles, Inc. -   Episode 2: Philip and Irene McAleese, co-founders of See.Sense, pitch their bike lights and city planning data to e-bike rental service Zoomo. -   Episode 3: Amy Whitell, founder of payments app Collctiv (Techstars '22), aims to secure investment at a VC pitch forum in New York. -   Episode 4: David Tyler, co-founder of Artemis Technologies Ltd, introduces his zero-emission flying boats to New York's waterways. -   Episode 5: Mother and son co-founders Shashi and Sanjay Aggarwal pitch their range of gifting spice tins to Baldor Specialty Foods, Inc. Watch Big in America now   Did you know that the ITP can also help you with... Practical guides to importing and exporting Check out our helpful guides for various stages of your trade journey. -   Incoterms - Before considering shipping merchandise internationally, at which point are the risks and charges transferred to the buyer? -   Business trips - Organise your business travel: which steps should you take to prepare yourself for a trip, and how can you make the most of your time away? -   Exporting to emerging markets - Our practical guide will help you to mitigate the most relevant risks when exporting to emerging markets. -   Understanding custom procedures - Find our practical advice on steps to take when dealing with customs procedures/clearances within the EU and internationally. Find out more about our practical guides here Q1 dates for your diary The ITP allows you to find upcoming trade show events, helping you to make connections with buyers and sellers across the globe, creating new overseas export opportunities for your business. 6th - 7th Mar. 2024 Tech Show London Discover a world where cutting-edge technology reshapes industries, enhances businesses, and drives the future. 6th - 7th Mar. 2024 Low Carbon Agriculture Show The business event showcasing low carbon practices, technology, and energy solutions for a profitable & sustainable farming future. 5th - 7th Mar. 2024 FutureBuild London The world's biggest event for sustainable design, construction & the build environment. Your Tender Team Your Tender Team, a Lloyds Bank 'Local Business of the Year' Leicester-based Your Tender Team has been the Local Business of the Year at the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards. Your Tender Team is a bid writing company assisting clients by either writing or reviewing their responses to public sector tenders. Over the last 3 years they've won over £500m+ worth of tenders for clients in the East Midlands alone, across a range of different sectors. They offer services including:   Full tender write - in which they manage, plan, write and submit tender responses for clients.   Review & evaluation - to help structure responses and provide feedback and guidance before submission. Congratulations to Your Tender Team on their award! For further information, please contact us here The information on the International Trade Portal is provided for general guidance only, and should not be relied upon as specific advice. Security Information Please note that Lloyds Bank NEVER send emails that ask for confidential or security information. Lloyds Bank plc Registered Office: 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN. Registered in England and Wales no. 2065. Telephone: 0207 626 1500. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under Registration Number 119278. Eligible deposits with us are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). We are covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). Please note that due to FSCS and FOS eligibility criteria not all business customers will be covered.