WIREDGOV

The CBI commented on the Government’s launch of a £1.5bn Direct Lending Scheme for exporters, which will be operated by UK Export Finance.

Jim Bligh, CBI head of exports policy, said:

“We’ve long called for a direct lending facility to help ambitious firms stay ahead of the game and overcome the hurdle of breaking into new markets, but the Government must ensure it does not adversely impact on finance options in the private market and that it is targeted at the high growth exporters who need support the most.

“UKEF and UKTI must intensively market this and other export finance schemes across the country and make it straight-forward for smaller firms to access them.”