The Trade Procedures Helpdesk at SITPRO continues to be one of our most popular services. We receive hundreds of enquiries, both by telephone and email, from UK businesses involved in international trade. However, SITPRO wanted to answer the question, "How can the Helpdesk address trader's queries better?" The solution was the appointment of a dedicated Helpdesk Manager, Aileen Prendergast.
SITPRO's new Helpdesk Manager, Aileen Prendergast
In her new role, Aileen will be providing assistance with queries about all aspects of international trade documents and procedures relating to the physical movement of goods. She will offer callers a single point of contact, who has time to investigate the day-to-day problems of traders. She will be supported by all the staff at SITPRO, whose expert advice on specific areas of international trade practice has made the Helpdesk so successful in the past.
For Aileen the appointment is a return to a familiar role, having previously provided international trade advice services for the Institute of Export. Having also worked as an export administrator she can offer advice that takes into account both the theory and practice of exporting goods.
Of course, Aileen cannot answer every query about the international trading process. SITPRO's main expertise is in procedures and documentation and the Helpdesk focusses on these issues. However, there are many other advice services offering specialist information who will try to help traders and Aileen should be able to signpost callers to the correct organisation.
In addition to answering enquires as they arise, Aileen will be working to provide information on frequently discussed issues for SITPRO's website in the Trade Briefings section www.sitpro.org.uk/trade. The latest new briefing, Getting Started in International Trade, has just been published and aims to help traders take the first steps in the export process. Aileen will also be examining a different issue about which she has received enquiries in each issue of SITPRO News, in the new SITPRO Solutions column.
Gordon Cragge, SITPRO's Director of Trade Facilitation and Promotion, says, "SITPRO has always aimed to translate its policy work and international trade experience into practical support and advice for traders. The appointment of a dedicated Helpdesk Manager will ensure that SITPRO can always provide information of the highest quality."
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 49, February/March 2004
