The BDTA is delighted to announce that it has been granted Accredited Trade Organisation (ATO) Status by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), making the BDTA one of only 4 such associations in the Life Sciences sector.

As a result the Association will partake in the Trade Access Programme (TAP) and offer additional services and support to British dental businesses wishing to explore new opportunities in overseas markets.   The new status will formalize the BDTA’s role and is an endorsement of the activities already undertaken by the Export Committee.  It will also help exporters to access the limited government funds that are available to companies who chose to exhibit on TAP supported pavilions organised by the BDTA. It is the UKTI’s current strategy to increase interest in the high growth emerging markets (e.g. China, South Africa, Turkey, India and a number of South American countries) whilst still recognising the importance of high profile events in Europe and elsewhere.  The Export Committee has already organised pavilions at AEEDC Dubai and IDEM Singapore for spring 2012, and as an ATO we expect to be able to offer the same services and support for IDS Cologne 2013.

Executive Director, Tony Reed says, “As well as raising the profile of the Association, TAP Accreditation provides an opportunity to gain valuable in-put with government at policy level, which we hope will prove beneficial for all our members.”