Using the information contained in the following passage describe the help given by the Department of Trade and Industry to British businessmen promoting their products abroad. Write about 100 words.

Apart from tourists, Eastern Europe is playing host each year to an evergrowing number of British businessmen, many of whom are attending the trade fairs which are very much part of the commercial life of the Communist bloc countries.

The whole question of exhibiting at trade fairs is one which many companies tend to side-step, simply because they have little or no idea of how to go about it. Yet a great deal of help is available, both from trade delegations maintained by overseas markets in London and from British government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry.

Probably the easiest way to find out which trade fairs are particularly relevant to your own company's products is to contact the Department of Trade and Industry's Fair and Promotions Branch, based at Hillgate House, 26 Old Bailey, London EC4 7HU.

The DTI supported some 5,000 firms exhibiting at 270 trade fairs in 38 countries last year, as well as staging various British weeks, store promotions and outward missions, which were supported by another 1, 700 companies.

The DTI has an extremely comprehensive list of fairs being held throughout the world. But as well as supplying information, the Department can also supply practical help, and even finance, for companies planning to undertake export drives at overseas fairs. For example, under the joint venture scheme, the DTI provides space and a shell stand for firms taking part in a group display sponsored by a trade association or a non-profit making body at an overseas trade fair.

In addition, for joint venture schemes held outside Western Europe, the DTI will pay half the return tourist air fare for two representatives of each firm taking part, and half the freight charges for returning unsold goods exhibited at the event.

In the case of major fairs, where participation is normally organised on a national basis, the DTI organises a British pavilion in which space and shell stands are provided to exhibitors.

Once again, in the cases of events held outside Western Europe, the Department gives help and assistance towards the cost of representatives'

travel and in returning unsold exhibits.

The Department is also instrumental in organising British weeks, British shopping festivals and store promotions in overseas centres. Often it will give financial support to companies taking part in approved Outward Missions sponsored by a trade association, chambers of commerce or similar non-profit-making bodies with the objective of assessing the prospects for British exports to a selected market or to sell or promote the sale of British products.

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