THE UK has finally emerged from recession. But there are still challenges, and household and government spending is likely to remain constrained for some time.

As such, it is vital that we have successful businesses that are investing and exporting.

The South West economy has great strengths in manufacturing and services it can take advantage of internationally, such as aerospace, bio-medical and marine engineering, and creative media. There is also the opportunity to develop a head start in the "activities of the future" such as the provision of low carbon services and products.

But, exporting for the first time can be daunting, especially for the small and medium-sized enterprises.

Luckily, help is at hand. The government agency UK Trade and Investment runs a Developing Your International Trade Potential programme for SMEs.

The programme includes a free check of a company's readiness for exporting and help developing an action plan; subsidised training in the requirements for trading overseas; advice on market research; access to an international trade adviser and help tackling cultural and language issues.

The programme is open to companies with fewer than 250 employees, turnover of less than £50 million and whose exports account for 25 per cent or less of turnover.

Additional services include support to participate in trade fairs overseas and access to the introduction services supplied by the UK's embassies and offices around the globe, which many exporters describe as invaluable in helping them open doors overseas.

As many SMEs have discovered, exporting can have a transformational effect on business and, with the globalisation of the world economy, small companies have greater opportunities than ever before to carve out niches in foreign markets. If we want the UK economy to prosper then we need more companies of all sizes to take the international plunge.