Recommendation 6

It is more difficult for businesses who are not customers of five of the largest commercial banks to access export finance. Smaller businesses would benefit from shorter turnaround times and simpler requirements when they apply for export finance. UKEF has introduced greater delegated authority to five of the largest commercial banks who can apply for some of UKEF’s products using an online portal and obtain immediate cover. In 2019–20, 389 applications were made through this portal. However, we heard that businesses who are not customers of these five banks cannot access the portal. Instead, they need to use a manual process that takes much longer. UKEF said that it intends to expand the number of other banks that can apply for its products using an online portal ‘shortly’. First, it wants to establish the system with the big five and create a single set of standard documentation. Recommendation: To make it simpler for smaller businesses to apply for export finance, UKEF should accelerate its expansion of the number of banks that can apply for UKEF’s products using the quicker online process. In its Treasury Minute response, we expect UKEF to confirm by when it expects to achieve this. Government support for UK exporters 9 1 Promoting export growth