CUMBRIAN businesses are being encouraged to exhibit for free at an international business festival.

The Cumbrian Local Enterprise Partnership is offering firms the opportunity to exhibit at the International Festival for Business, free of charge.

The Local Enterprise Partnership, which is the county’s strategic economic body, is taking exhibition space at the festival in Liverpool and is looking for businesses who want to join it to showcase their products and act as ambassadors for the county.

Graham Haywood, director of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "The festival is an invaluable opportunity for Cumbrian businesses to promote their products and network with potential customers and investors from all over the world.

"It is also a great chance for businesses who are considering exporting to get expert advice.

"We are looking for people from a range of sectors to join us. Our aim is to give Cumbria a solid platform at the event and provide our local businesses with some additional support to help them meet new customers, investors, suppliers and partners."

The International Festival for Business 2016 takes place at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool from June 13 to July 1. The biennial festival is focusing on three key themes in 2016: manufacturing in the first week, energy and environment in the second and creative and digital in the final week.

There will also be free seminars and workshops designed for SMEs with growth and export ambitions, as well as one-to-one meetings with buyers, suppliers and investors.

Businesses seeking to take advantage of joining Cumbria LEP’s delegation and exhibiting space should call Phil Armstrong on 020 7593 4000 to discuss the details or email cumbrialep@madano.com