LOCAL businesses are being urged to export and grow by Basingstoke MP Maria Miller.

The Culture Secretary, who is currently with Prime Minister David Cameron on his trade delegation to China, hosted a seminar, flagging up the importance of exporting.

It also highlighted the help available to businesses considering exporting for the first time, or looking for new overseas market opportunities.

The breakfast seminar, held at the Basingstoke Country Hotel, was jointly organised by Hampshire Chamber, with Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and the Federation of Small Businesses.

Representatives of more than 50 local businesses attended the seminar, where Mrs Miller gave the keynote speech.

She stressed the vital role of exports in building sustainable growth in the UK economy and the great trade opportunities offered by the fast- growing markets such as China, Russia, South America and the Middle East.

Mrs Miller also highlighted the opportunities for companies to grow their business considerably by trading internationally.

“Basingstoke is a great place to do business and local companies are really well placed to export their goods and services,” said Mrs Miller.

“Many of the businesses in Basingstoke that I have visited are already exporting successfully, and I would urge any others considering doing so to take advantage of all the advice and support available, and take that first leap.”

Delegates also heard from UKTI about the business benefits of exporting, and from Hampshire Chamber about its services available to companies to assist them with exporting.

Martin Burlingham, from hygiene products manufacturer and supplier Vectair Systems, and Tim Colman, joint owner partner of Chevron Cars, based at Worting House, spoke of their experience in exporting.

Mr Burlingham, based at Vectair Systems’ European head office at The Trident Centre, in Armstrong Road, Basingstoke, spoke about how the company, whose exports this year amounted to £8.5million, has successfully targeted countries across Europe, the United States and, more recently, India.

Mr Burlingham said: “It’s an ongoing learning process,” adding that “it is not a case of one size fits all.You need different approaches for different markets.”