TOP Government figures chose a Sussex wine estate to claim that Britain has the potential to be a “21st century exporting superpower”.

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox joined Baroness Rona Fairhead, Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion at Bolney Wine Estate in Foxhole Lane, near Haywards Heath.

They outlined the Government’s ambitions ahead of Brexit.

Mr Fox detailed the Government’s desire to increase exports as a proportion of UK GDP to 35 per cent as it seeks to encourage more businesses to sell goods and services overseas.

Official figures released in June showed exports of UK goods and services hit a record £620 billion last year, accounting for 30 per cent of UK GDP.

Mr Fox said: “UK businesses are superbly placed to capitalise on the rapid changes in the global economic environment and I believe the UK has the potential to be a 21st century exporting superpower.

“As an international economic department, we are determined to support, connect and grow UK companies on the world stage through our international network.

“As we leave the EU, we must set our sights high and that is just what this export strategy will help us achieve.”

Mike Cherry, Federation of Small Businesses national chairman, said the Government’s export strategy is “strong on aspiration” and welcomed the commitment to increase exports as a proportion of GDP and other measures which could support small firms.

He said: “Incentives like export vouchers and grants should be made available to small businesses to help them with upfront investment costs for things like translation services or additional market research.”