The Government has promised to do more to promote British companies abroad after hearing of job losses at Colchester company Woods Air Movement.

The fan makers announced last November that 60 jobs would have to be cut following a fall in the Far Eastern economies it relied on for exports.

GEC-owned Woods, based in Tuffnell Way, employs 720 people and was named Britain's Exporter of the Year last year, and yesterday Colchester MP Bob Russell called on the Government to give more support to companies like Woods.

He asked Trade Minister Brian Wilson what plans the Department for Trade and Industry had to increase funding to assist the manufacturing industry for exporting.

Liberal Democrat Mr Russell added: "I am sure you are aware of the terrible problems faced by exporters and particularly manufacturing exporters.

"There is a need for more investment in overseas exhibitions and marketing for existing and potential manufacturing exporters both large and small.

"Woods Air Movement was last year voted UK exporter of the year, but has had to lay off 60 staff because of the terrible conditions that it and all other exporters are experiencing. We need more help from the Government on exporting our best assets and one way of doing that is by more exhibitions overseas."

Mr Wilson said a lot of money was already being spent on export promotion but he agreed it should be, and the Government wanted it to be, done more effectively.

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