NORTH Yorkshire MP Julian Smith has welcomed businesses from across Yorkshire to 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 more than 100 companies, took place at Ripon Racecourse.

MP for Ripon and Skipton Mr Smith gave the keynote address at the event, and 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.”