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Trade visits

Overseas trade visits are important buyer seller events that seek to bring people together who are intending to create commercial opportunities. They provide the chance to gain essential market knowledge, while allowing you to find the right connections to make market entry easier.

Find trade missions

You can search for events, trade fairs, missions, and webinars relevant to your sector or overseas markets on these websites. 

Useful apps

You can download the 10Times app for free via your tablet or mobile device, which lists nearby business events, trade shows, and conferences in the UK and overseas.

It is available on:

The Midlands Engine

This is a government initiative that brings together the West and East Midlands as an engine for growth for the UK economy. The Midlands Engine runs events and trade visits to enable businesses to export more goods and services and grow their overall productivity. Some trade visits may have access to grant funding, which can pay towards the costs of attending an overseas event.

Upcoming international trade events

  • 27 to 31 January 2025: Trade Mission to Arab Health 2025 - The Department for Business and Trade will be taking a delegation of companies from the English Regions to Arab Health in Dubai. The Arab Health Exhibition & Congress is the largest event of its kind in the Middle East. Arab Health provides an unrivalled platform for the world's leading hospitals, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors to meet the medical and scientific community from the Middle East and beyond.
  • 29 January to 2 February - International Toy Fair. A key event for those in the toy industry is the annual International Toy Fair, formally known as Spielwarenmesse. It attracts manufactures, distributors, and buyers from over 130 countries. The International Toy Fair is known as the world’s largest and most influential trade fair that covers everything from traditional toys to tech-based products.
  • 3 to 6 March 2025: Mobile World Congress in Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain is the most influential mobile technology event, bringing together industry leaders and innovators to showcase the latest advancements in mobile technology, networking solutions, and digital experiences. This exhibition will showcase more than 2,400 exhibitors from across the world, covering sectors such as 5G technologies, artificial intelligence and mobile software.
  • 15 to 18 March 2025: Cosmoprof Worldwide at Bologna Exhibition Centre, Italy. Bologna is an influential trade fair dedicated to the beauty industry. It compromises of over 2,800 exhibitors and professionals, distributors and beauty enthusiasts. It represents various sectors of the beauty industry from skincare, haircare, fragrances to makeup
  • Spring 2025: Luxury Retail Festival” in Mumbai, India - The Department for Business and Trade expressions of interest will close on Feb 1st 2025. 
  • Summer 2025: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is delighted to open Expressions of Interest from UK companies wishing to take part in a retail trade mission to Japan, being planned for summer 2025.
  • 23 to 26 September 2025: Messe Berlin, Germany - InnoTrans is the world’s leading trade fair for transport technology. It’s an international platform showcasing the latest innovations in railway technology and public transport.
  • 17 to 20 November 2025: Medica is the world’s largest and most prestigious medical trade fair. With more than 5,000 exhibitors across 70 countries, Medica serves as a vital platform for healthcare professionals, industry leaders, and innovators to showcase their latest developments in medical technology, equipment, and services.
  • Page last updated: 25 October 2024